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Definition of cowbird
: 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 U.S. and southern Canada in which the male is black with a brown head and the female is gray
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of cowbird from the Web
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The cowbird expanded its territory naturally, but people introduced the whydah.
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Another potential victim for the cowbird. 9: American goldfinches frolicking in the small trees along the fairway.
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In fact, two species of still-extant cowbirds were found at the same site, so the grasslands of Térapa 40,000 years ago likely held plenty of food that was regularly made available by the grazing of mammoths, ground sloths, and other creatures.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cowbird'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of cowbird
1810
COWBIRD Defined for English Language Learners
cowbird
playDefinition of cowbird for English Language Learners
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: a brown and black North American bird that lays its eggs in the nests of other birds
COWBIRD Defined for Kids
cowbird
playDefinition of cowbird for Students
: a small North American blackbird that lays its eggs in the nests of other birds
Learn More about cowbird
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See words that rhyme with cowbird Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cowbird
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