cowbird

American  

[kou-burd] / ˈkaʊˌbɜrd /

noun

1. any of several New World blackbirds of the genus Molothrus, especially M. ater, of North America, that accompany herds of cattle.

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cowbird British  

/ ˈkaʊˌbɜːd /

noun

1. any of various American orioles of the genera Molothrus, Tangavius, etc, esp M. ater (common or brown-headed cowbird). They have a dark plumage and short bill

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Etymology

Origin of cowbird

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805; cow ¹ + bird

Example Sentences

They’re the victims of a “brood parasite” called the cowbird, which adds its own egg to their clutch, tricking another species into raising its offspring.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 15, 2021

“Sixteen hours after the experiment, the birds are still behaving as if there’s a cowbird threat,” Hauber says.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 15, 2021

But their long-term survival will depend on continued habitat management and cowbird control, funded by governments, private supporters and payments by timber companies that log the jack pines.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 8, 2019

In other words, a cowbird raised in a warbler nest somehow knows that it cannot stick around and mate with a warbler.

From Washington Post • Jun. 29, 2017

Her song brightened the cold gray day so that a cowbird thought it was spring and began to sing in the old oak tree.

From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman