General

Bronzed Cowbird: Small blackbird (aeneus), brown-black overall with blue sheen on wings and tail. Eyes are red. Bill is dark and heavy. Female is dark gray-brown with faintly streaked, pale gray throat. Juvenile is brown.

Range and Habitat

Bronzed Cowbird: Breeds from southern California across the southwest to Louisiana and south through much of Mexico and into Panama. Northern birds migrate to the south of their range for the winter and sometimes migrate east along the Gulf Coast to Florida. Found in fields, forests, lawns, and agricultural areas.

Breeding and Nesting

Bronzed Cowbird: Nest parasite; a single light blue green egg is laid in eight to ten nests of other species. Incubation ranges from 10 to 12 days and is carried out by the host species.

Foraging and Feeding

Bronzed Cowbird: Eats insects and seeds; forages in flocks on the ground, sometimes turning over pebbles in search of food.

Readily Eats

Cracked Corn, Millet, Sunflower

Vocalization

Bronzed Cowbird: Song is a low, guttural, insect-like "glug-glug-glee." Call is an abrasive "chuk."

Similar Species

Bronzed Cowbird: Brown-headed Cowbird is black with glossy brown head; female Brown-headed is plain gray.