cowbird

cowbird
noun Date: 1810 any of a genus (Molothrus of the family Icteridae) of New World blackbirds that lay their eggs in the nests of other birds; especially one (M. ater) widespread in the United States and southern Canada in which the male is black with a brown head and the female is gray

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Cowbird — Cow bird ( b[ e]rd ), n. (Zo[ o]l.) The cow blackbird ({Molothrus ater}), an American starling. Like the European cuckoo, it builds no nest, but lays its eggs in the nests of other birds; so called because frequently associated with cattle. [1913 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cowbird — ☆ cowbird [kou′bʉrd΄ ] n. any of a number of small American blackbirds (esp. Molothrus ater) often seen near cattle: cowbirds lay eggs in other birds nests …   English World dictionary

  • Cowbird — Cowbirds Female Brown headed Cowbird Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia …   Wikipedia

  • cowbird — /kow berrd /, n. any of several New World blackbirds of the genus Molothrus, esp. M. ater, of North America, that accompany herds of cattle. [1795 1805, Amer.; COW1 + BIRD] * * * Any of six passerine species related to New World blackbirds… …   Universalium

  • cowbird — noun an American songbird with dark plumage, most kinds of which lay their eggs in other birds nests. [Molothrus ater (brown headed cowbird) and related species.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • cowbird — karvapaukščiai statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Molothrus angl. cowbird vok. Kuhstärling, m rus. коровий трупиал, m pranc. vacher à, m ryšiai: platesnis terminas – trupialiniai siauresnis terminas – amazoninis… …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • cowbird — noun A small North American blackbird (Molothrus ater) that lays its eggs in the nests of other birds …   Wiktionary

  • cowbird — n. blackbird which is often found near cattle …   English contemporary dictionary

  • cowbird — cow•bird [[t]ˈkaʊˌbɜrd[/t]] n. orn any blackbird of the genera Molothrus and Schapidura, noted for their brood parasitism, esp. the common North American species M. ater[/ex] • Etymology: 1795–1805, amer …   From formal English to slang

  • cowbird — /ˈkaʊbɜd/ (say kowberd) noun any of the American blackbirds of the genus Molothrus, especially M. ater of North America (so called because they accompany cattle). Also, cow blackbird, cow bunting …  

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