Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia November 2009

Bird name: Shiny Cowbird
Latin: Molothrus bonariensis
Other: Vira-bosta (Br) • Tordo (Es), Tordo común, Tordo renegrido
Family: Icteridae • Cowbirds

The Shiny Cowbird is one of a few entirely black birds to be found in Brazil. The photo above may be of a female - the adult male is jet black and shiny.

The Shiny Cowbird’s range covers much of Latin America and has recently extended into Chile and Florida.

It’s usually seen in groups but not always. It tends to walk around on the ground and looks more relaxed than the male Ruby-crowned Tanager. The Chopi Blackbird has a more peaked head and grooved bill than the Shiny Cowbird.

The Shiny Cowbird, not beloved by many birders, is a brood parasite, like the European Cuckoo, laying its eggs in the nests of other birds, and in some cases endangering host species survival.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Iguaçu 2006

Bird name: Giant Cowbird
Latin: Molothrus oryzivorus
Other: Iraúna-grande (Br)
Family: Icteridae • Cowbirds

The Giant Cowbird is another brood parasitic cowbird, laying its eggs in the nests of other icterids. Its range covers the northwestern half of South America and to a lesser extent the southern part of Brazil. Note the yellow iris. A large bird (40 cm).More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: Bay Winged Cowbird
Latin: Agelaioides badius
Other: Baywing • Asa-de-telha (Br)
Family: Icteridae • Cowbirds

The Bay-winged Cowbird is predominantly grey with rufous wing edges and black eye and bill. These individuals were seen in a small copse near pastures. These are not “true” Cowbirds, in that they are not brood parasitic or in the genus Molothrus.

The Bay-winged Cowbird is found in the southern countries of South America and Boliva. In Brazil in Rio Grande do Sul and the Pantanal, the latter being a more rufous type.More photos...