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 →
5–10% of wildlife watchers report a Giant Cowbird sighting in Serra da Canastra National Park, based on 34 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Serra da Canastra National Park
Shiny Cowbird
Molothrus bonariensis
Screaming Cowbird
Molothrus rufoaxillaris
Chopí Blackbird
Gnorimopsar chopi
Yellow-rumped Marshbird
Pseudoleistes guirahuro
Crested Oropendola
Psarocolius decumanus
Chestnut-capped Blackbird
Chrysomus ruficapillus
Epaulet Oriole
Icterus cayanensis
White-browed Meadowlark
Sturnella superciliaris
Red-rumped Cacique
Cacicus haemorrhous
Golden-winged Cacique
Cacicus chrysopterus
Orange-backed Oriole
Icterus icterus
Saffron Finch
Sicalis flaveola
📅 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 Serra da Canastra National Park?
About 7% of wildlife watchers report a Giant Cowbird sighting in Serra da Canastra National Park, based on 34 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Giant Cowbird in Serra da Canastra National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Giant Cowbird in Serra da Canastra National Park in our monthly data.