Bronzed Cowbird

Overview

The bronzed cowbird, also known as the red-eyed cowbird, is a small icterid native to North America. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Male: 20 cm long, green-bronze and gloss-black plumage, red eyes during breeding season.
• Female: 18.5 cm long, dull black with a brown underbelly and brown eyes.
• Juvenile: Similar to the female but with grey feather fringes.

Habitat

Breeds from California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana south through Central America to Panama. Typically found in farmland, brush, and feedlots during the breeding season, while occupying very open habitats and roosting in thick woods outside this period.

Diet

Feeds mostly on seeds and insects, with snails consumed during the breeding season as a source of calcium. Forages in open areas, often in proximity to cattle in pastures.

Did you know?

As an obligate brood parasite, the young bird is raised by host parents at the expense of their own offspring, developing rapidly to leave the nest after just 10–12 days.