cowbird

noun

cow·​bird ˈkau̇-ˌbərd How to pronounce cowbird (audio)
: any of a genus (Molothrus of the family Icteridae) of New World blackbirds that lay their eggs in the nests of other birds
especially : brown-headed cowbird

Examples of cowbird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The location of the camera is unknown aside from being in a garden in Northern Indiana, but viewers can see a large variety of songbirds from cardinals and cowbirds to starlings and sparrows. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Apr. 2024 The unsuspecting vireo will then raise the cowbird chicks, which grow faster than its own and outcompete the vireo nestlings for food. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024 The photo today is of a blue grosbeak nest with a cowbird egg. Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Since 1985 the shiny cowbird of South America has been sighted in Florida. Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 See all Example Sentences for cowbird 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cowbird.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cowbird was in 1810

Dictionary Entries Near cowbird

Cite this Entry

“Cowbird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cowbird. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

cowbird

noun
cow·​bird -ˌbərd How to pronounce cowbird (audio)
: a small North American blackbird that lays its eggs in the nests of other birds

More from Merriam-Webster on cowbird

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!