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Bronzed Cowbird

Molothrus aeneusOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Blackbirds and Orioles (Icteridae)
Bronzed Cowbird (aeneus) Breeding Male Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Dagger, All-purpose
  • Eye Color: Brownish orange to orange-brown; Males scarlet to crimson during breeding season.
  • Head Pattern: Plain
  • Crown Color: Black with bronze-green sheen.
  • Forehead Color: Black with bronze-green sheen.
  • Nape Color: Black with bronze-green sheen.
  • Throat Color: Black with bronze-green sheen.
  • Cere color: No Data
Bronzed Cowbird (aeneus) Breeding Male Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 17-22 cm (6.5-8.75 in)
  • Weight: 68 g (2.4 oz)
  • Size: Size 2. Small (5 - 9 in)
  • Color: Green, Blue, Purple or Violet, Brown, Black
  • Underparts: Black
  • Upperparts: Black with bronze-green sheen.
  • Back Pattern: Solid
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
Bronzed Cowbird (aeneus) Breeding Male Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Swift somewhat swooping direct flight on rapidly beating wings.
  • Wingspan Range: 25-33 cm (10-13 in)
  • Wing Shape: Pointed-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Fan-shaped Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: Black with blue sheen.
  • Under Tail: Black
  • Leg Color: Black
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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