At a Glance

Larger than the Brown-headed Cowbird and mostly restricted to the Southwest, this species is another brood parasite. It may be more specialized in its choice of 'hosts,' and is thought to have seriously affected populations of some species, such as Hooded Orioles in southern Texas. The Bronzed Cowbird has expanded its range in our area during the last century; in Arizona, where it is now common, it was unrecorded before 1909.
Category
Blackbirds and Orioles, Perching Birds
Conservation
Low Concern
Habitat
Arroyos and Canyons, Desert and Arid Habitats, Fields, Meadows, and Grasslands, Landfills and Dumps, Shrublands, Savannas, and Thickets
Region
California, Florida, Southeast, Southwest, Texas
Behavior
Direct Flight, Flitter
Population
6.600.000

Range & Identification

Migration & Range Maps

Only a short-distance migrant, but becomes very uncommon and local in Southwest in winter. Some stray eastward in winter along Gulf Coast, reaching Florida almost regularly.

Description

8 1/2" (22 cm). Heavier than Brown-headed Cowbird, with longer bill, shorter tail, red eyes (hard to see). Neck ruff gives look of hunched shoulders. Females dull black (Texas) or gray-brown (Arizona).
Size
About the size of a Robin
Color
Black, Brown, Red
Wing Shape
Rounded
Tail Shape
Rounded, Square-tipped

Songs and Calls

Wheezy and guttural whistling notes and various squeaks and squeals.
Call Pattern
Rising
Call Type
Hi, Whistle

Habitat

Farmland, brush, semi-open country, feedlots. Outside the breeding season, generally in very open habitats in the lowlands, foraging in open fields and around cattle feedlots and roosting in brushy woods. In breeding season, wanders widely through many kinds of habitats including forest edge, desert, open woods in mountains.

Behavior

Eggs

Pale blue-green, unmarked. Number of eggs laid per female is unknown, but may be nearly one egg per day for up to several weeks. When laying eggs, female cowbird may pierce eggs already in nest. Frequent "hosts" for Bronzed Cowbirds include orioles, thrashers, towhees, many others, including smaller birds like warblers and gnatcatchers.

Young

Nestling is fed by the "host" parents and develops rapidly, leaves nest 10-12 days after hatching.

Feeding Behavior

Forages mostly by walking on the ground in the open. May associate with cattle or horses in pastures, catching insects flushed from the grass by the grazing animals. Reportedly may sometimes take ticks or insects from backs of cattle.

Diet

Seeds and insects. Much of annual diet is seeds, including those of grasses and weeds, and waste grain. Occasionally eats berries. Also eats insects, including caterpillars, beetles, flies, and others, plus snails and spiders. While females are laying eggs, snails may be important as a source of calcium.

Nesting

A brood parasite, never raising its own young. In courtship display on ground, male puffs out his feathers so that he appears almost round, spreads and lowers his tail, and points his bill down as he sings; in more intense version, he vibrates his wings and rises slowly a few feet in air, then slowly descends again. Both sexes are promiscuous, not forming pairs. Nest: Builds no nest; eggs are laid in nests of other birds.

Climate Vulnerability

Conservation Status

Has greatly expanded its range and numbers north of Mexico during 20th century; undoubtedly having a negative impact on its "host" species in some areas.

Climate Map

Audubon’s scientists have used 140 million bird observations and sophisticated climate models to project how climate change will affect the range of the Bronzed Cowbird. Learn even more in our Audubon’s Survival By Degrees project.

Climate Threats Facing the Bronzed Cowbird

Choose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases. The same climate change-driven threats that put birds at risk will affect other wildlife and people, too.