- Molothrus oryzivorus
Scaphidura oryzivora
Identification
- Overall black with purplish shine
- Neck ruff conspicuous giving a pigeon-breasted (chest heavy) or small-headed appearance
- Bill large, robust and black
- Male iris colour varies. It is reddish in Mexico and most of Central America becoming more yellow as one goes east in Panama.
Males and females are very similar. Females are smaller, duller (less glossy) and with a pale yellowish eye; male eye is reddish.
Distribution
From Mexico in Southern North America through Central America and South America to Argentina and Bolivia
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are 2 subspecies[1]:
- M. o. impacifus:
- M. o. oryzivorus:
Habitat
Semiopen to open areas like forest clearings, wooded savannahs, fields, etc, but usually near colonies of nest hosts.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds mainly on the ground but also observed feeding on larger mammals (eating biting flies and similar) and occasionally by gleaning from leaves
Breeding
Nest parasite which mainly deposit eggs in nests of Oropendolas and Caciques, but also described as parasitizing a couple of Jay species and a couple of large orioles.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Neotropical birds online
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Giant Cowbird. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 3 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Giant_Cowbird
