Bronzed Cowbird
Molothrus aeneus
Also known as: Red-Eyed Cowbird
About This Species
Found in open country, farmland and scrub from the southern United States through Central America, often seen walking on the ground near livestock or in mixed flocks with other blackbirds. Breeding males perform a distinctive hover display above females, ruffling their neck feathers, which is a good behavioural cue for identification in spring and summer. Its striking red eye is visible at close range in good light.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- A few metres' distance from a foraging flock is generally enough not to disturb feeding behaviour.
- As a brood parasite that lays eggs in other birds' nests, it receives standard wild bird protections under national and regional laws such as the US Migratory Bird Treaty Act, though enforcement and specific provisions vary by country.
- Because it targets host nests, avoid drawing attention to any nest, host or parasitised, by lingering nearby.
LCAvesPasseriformesIcteridae
Seasonal Activity
360,273 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Icteridae
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.