Shiny Cowbird Identification

Male

Chunky with a conical bill. Males are glossy black overall.

Female

Medium-sized bird with a conical, sharply pointed bill. Females are tan overall with a faint paler eyebrow.

Female

Note the fairly long, thick-based bill that comes to a sharp point, characteristic of cowbirds.

Juvenile

Juveniles are dull brown with a streaky belly.

Male

Male

Song is a bubbling purring, followed by an ascending series of short, high notes.

Female

Chunky bird with a conical bill. Females are tan overall and have little to no streaking on the belly.

Adult

Often feeds in mixed flocks of other blackbirds on the ground or in trees and shrubs.

Habitat

Found in open or semiopen habitats, especially agricultural areas with patches of trees and shrubs.