Giant Cowbird
Molothrus oryzivorus
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassAves (Aus)
- OrderPasseriformes
- FamilyIcteridae (Ictèrids)
- GenusMolothrus (Cowbirds)
- SpeciesMolothrus oryzivorus (Giant Cowbird)
The giant cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus) is a large passerine bird in the New World family Icteridae. It breeds from southern Mexico south to northern Argentina, and on Trinidad and Tobago. It may have relatively recently colonised the latter island. It is a brood parasite and lays its eggs in the nests of other birds. Wikipedia →
10–20% of wildlife watchers report a Giant Cowbird sighting in Iguazú National Park, based on 429 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Iguazú National Park
Shiny Cowbird
Molothrus bonariensis
Screaming Cowbird
Molothrus rufoaxillaris
Red-rumped Cacique
Cacicus haemorrhous
Chopí Blackbird
Gnorimopsar chopi
Epaulet Oriole
Icterus cayanensis
White-browed Meadowlark
Sturnella superciliaris
Golden-winged Cacique
Cacicus chrysopterus
Grayish Baywing
Agelaioides badius
Yellow-rumped Marshbird
Pseudoleistes guirahuro
Chestnut-capped Blackbird
Chrysomus ruficapillus
Unicoloured Blackbird
Agelasticus cyanopus
Solitary Black Cacique
Cacicus solitarius
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Giant Cowbird in Iguazú National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Giant Cowbird sighting in Iguazú National Park, based on 429 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Giant Cowbird in Iguazú National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Giant Cowbird in Iguazú National Park in our monthly data.