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Bronzed Cowbird

Molothrus aeneusOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Blackbirds and Orioles (Icteridae)

Breeding Location:

Bushes, shrubs, and thickets, Mountains



Breeding Type:

Promiscuous, Polyandrous



Breeding Population:

Common but local



Egg Color:

Glossy light blue green



Number of Eggs:

1



Incubation Days:

10 - 12



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Uses nests of other species.



Migration:

Most migrate



Splitbar

Overview

Bronzed Cowbird: Small blackbird (aeneus), brown-black overall with blue sheen on wings and tail. Eyes are red and bill is dark and heavy. Feeds on insects, seeds and grains. Often follows cattle to eat insects that are kicked up. Swift direct and swooping flight with rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Bronzed Cowbird: Breeds in Arizona, California, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas.

Breeding and Nesting

Bronzed Cowbird: Nest parasite; a single light blue green egg is laid in eight to ten nests of other species. Incubation ranges from 10 to 12 days and is carried out by the host species.

Foraging and Feeding

Bronzed Cowbird: Eats insects and seeds; forages in flocks on the ground, sometimes turning over pebbles in search of food.

Vocalization

Bronzed Cowbird: Song is a low, guttural, insect-like "glug-glug-glee." Call is an abrasive "chuk."

Similar Species

Bronzed Cowbird: Brown-headed Cowbird is black with glossy brown head; female Brown-headed is plain gray.

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Family Meadowlark (Icteridae)_blue
Species Molothrus aeneus
Length6.5 - 8.75 Inches
Wingspan11.5 Inches

Bronzed Cowbird

Bronzed Cowbird: Small blackbird (aeneus), brown-black overall with blue sheen on wings and tail. Eyes are red and bill is dark and heavy. Feeds on insects, seeds and grains. Often follows cattle to eat insects that are kicked up. Swift direct and swooping flight with rapid wing beats.

● Song: "glug-glug-glee"

● Foraging & Feeding: Bronzed Cowbird: Eats insects and seeds; forages in flocks on the ground, sometimes turning over pebbles in search of food.

● Breeding & nesting: Bronzed Cowbird: Nest parasite; a single light blue green egg is laid in eight to ten nests of other species. Incubation ranges from 10 to 12 days and is carried out by the host species.

● Similar species: Bronzed Cowbird: Brown-headed Cowbird is black with glossy brown head; female Brown-headed is plain gray.

Flight Pattern

Swift somewhat swooping direct flight on rapidly beating wings.
Bronzed Cowbird (aeneus) Breeding Male Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Bronzed Cowbird: Breeds in Arizona, California, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas.
BreedingPromiscuous, Polyandrous
PopulationCommon but local
MigrationMost migrate
Weight2.4 Ounces