Molothrus aeneus
The Bronzed Cowbird, *Molothrus aeneus*, is a medium-sized icterid renowned for its obligate brood parasitic lifestyle. Males are striking, measuring 7.9-8.7 inches (20-22 cm) in length, with a wingspan of approximately 14.2 inches (36 cm) and weighing 2.1-2.3 ounces (59-65 g). Their plumage is a rich, glossy bronze-black, often appearing purple-black in certain light, complemented by a distinctive bright red eye and noticeably shaggy feathers on the nape and upper back. Females are slightly ...
Found primarily in open woodlands, forest edges, agricultural areas, and suburban environments, typically at low to mid-elevations.
Mainly insectivorous, consuming grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, and other arthropods, supplemented with seeds from grasses and agricultural crops.
Bronzed Cowbirds are diurnal, often forming mixed-species flocks with other icterids, especially outside the breeding season, when they gather in large communal roosts. Foraging occurs predominantly on the ground, where they glean insects and seeds, frequently associating with livestock to exploi...
The Bronzed Cowbird's breeding range extends from the southwestern United States, including southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, south through Mexico, and into Central America as far as Costa Rica. In the US, it is predominantly found along the Gulf Coast and southern border states. Northern ...
Least Concern
- The Bronzed Cowbird is an obligate brood parasite, meaning it never builds its own nest but lays its eggs in the nests of other bird species. - Males possess striking bright red eyes, a unique trait among North American cowbirds. - The 'bronzed' appearance of the male's plumage is iridescent, s...