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Shiny Cowbird Identification
Shiny Cowbird Photos and Videos
Male
Chunky with a conical bill. Males are glossy black overall.
© Mark Davidson | Macaulay LibraryMatanzas, November 29, 2016
Female
Medium-sized bird with a conical, sharply pointed bill. Females are tan overall with a faint paler eyebrow.
© William Hull | Macaulay LibrarySangre Grande, May 23, 2007
Female
Note the fairly long, thick-based bill that comes to a sharp point, characteristic of cowbirds.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryBuenos Aires, December 11, 1996
Juvenile
Juveniles are dull brown with a streaky belly.
© Mark Kosiewski | Macaulay LibraryRisaralda, August 16, 2014
Female
Chunky bird with a conical bill. Females are tan overall and have little to no streaking on the belly.
© Steven Mlodinow | Macaulay LibraryAruba, April 07, 2013
Male
Song is a bubbling purring, followed by an ascending series of short, high notes.
© Gregory Griffith | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, May 09, 1994
Adult Description
- Medium-sized songbird.
- Medium-long tail.
- Bill pointed.
- Male entirely shiny black.
- Female dull gray-brown.
Male Description
Entirely glossy blue-black or purplish black. Wings and tail glossy greenish blue.Female Description
Dull grayish brown above, paler below. Bill blackish gray. Eyes dark. Legs blackish.Immature Description
Similar to female, but with faint streaks on chest.Relative Size
robin-sizedMeasurements
- Both Sexes
- Length: 7.1 in (18 cm)
- Weight: 1.1-1.4 oz (31-40 g)
Species in This Family
Troupials and Allies(Order: Passeriformes, Family:Icteridae)
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