cowbird

noun

cow·​bird ˈkau̇-ˌbərd 

: 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

Another possibility is that the cowbirds want their potential victims to know they are being targeted and watched. —Nathan H. Lents, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025

Accordingly, three of the five species of cowbirds do not form socially monogamous pair-bonds. —Nathan H. Lents, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cowbird

• brown-headed cowbird

Rhymes for cowbird

• absurd
• averred
• bluebird
• byword
• catbird
• catchword
• concurred
• conferred
• cowherd
• crossword
• deferred
• demurred

Kids Definition

cowbird

noun

cow·​bird -ˌbərd 

: a small North American blackbird that lays its eggs in the nests of other birds