Bronzed Cowbird

Last updated 4/26/96

I orginally left this bird out of my list for the UTC because I have never seen one here. Recent discussions with birders here and in Louisiana make me believe that I've been over looking it and that it is likely more common here than I thought. In The Spoonbill there were three reports of Bronzed Cowbirds for the one year period that I checked. I also spoke with a Louisiana birder who finds them often near New Orleans.

Look for them along the coast in any flock of "black birds". I've been told that they are common in Galveston around the grain elevator area on Harborside Drive. Check the area between 51st and 25th streets on either side of the road. Bronzed Cowbirds are usually in flocks of Great-tailed Grackle.

Bronzed Cowbird males are entirely black and a bronzy sheen can be seen in proper light. In the breeding season the red eye will jump out at you. Out of breeding season the eye is orange-brown, but not yellow like the Brewers Blackbird. The males neck ruff will give it a hunch-backed look.

Females are dull black, won't show much or any neck ruff and have a orange-brown eye.

A breeding range map is available form the Breeding Bird Survey
A winter range map is available from the Christmas Bird Count

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