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Species authority page

Bronzed cowbird

Molothrus aeneus · Unprotected and nuisance birds

Bronzed cowbird (Molothrus aeneus): Larger than Brown-headed Cowbird, with a longer bill and shorter tail. Red eyes (hard to see); neck ruff gives a hunched-shoulder look. This profile does not establish whether taking it is legal anywhere.

Check rules for a place and dateOpen the bronzed cowbird map

Certified rules currently represented in Hunt: coverage in development. This is coverage, not a legal answer.

Bronzed cowbird — verified North Ground species photograph
Adobe Stock · Standard License (asset 478033804)
Scientific name
Molothrus aeneus
Family
Icteridae
In North America
Native
Range
Resident from extreme southeastern California, Arizona, southwestern New Mexico and western and southern Texas south to Panama; northern populations partially migratory.
Biology

How to identify it

Larger than Brown-headed Cowbird, with a longer bill and shorter tail. [1][2]

Red eyes (hard to see); neck ruff gives a hunched-shoulder look. [1][2]

Females dull black in Texas or gray-brown in Arizona. [1][2]

Length 18-20 cm. [1][2]

Compared with the brown-headed cowbird: Bronzed is larger with a longer bill, shorter tail, red eye and neck ruff. [1][2]

Species it is confused with

Check these before deciding what you are looking at. If you are not certain what it is, do not shoot.

Field notes

  • Identification Confirm a bronzed cowbird before you act. Compared with the brown-headed cowbird: Bronzed is larger with a longer bill, shorter tail, red eye and neck ruff.[1][2]
Field knowledge

Where it lives

Farmland, brush, semi-open country and feedlots; outside breeding generally very open lowland habitats, roosting in brushy woods. [1][2]

Field knowledge

How it behaves

Only a short-distance migrant; very uncommon and local in the Southwest in winter, some stray east along the Gulf Coast to Florida [1][2]

Forages mostly walking on the ground in the open, sometimes with cattle or horses; may take ticks or insects from cattle backs [1][2]

Diet is largely seeds and waste grain, plus insects, snails and spiders; snails may supply calcium to laying females [1][2]

Regulatory handoff

Where it is listed for removal or nuisance take

These authorities list this species as nuisance, invasive or unprotected wildlife that may be taken. This is not a game season.

Where legal take is listed

Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.

Geospatial intelligence

Where it is found

Resident from extreme southeastern California, Arizona, southwestern New Mexico and western and southern Texas south to Panama; northern populations partially migratory.

Biology

Sources

Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.

  1. National Audubon Society · reviewed 2026-09-30

    National Audubon Society

  2. NatureServe · reviewed 2026-09-30

    NatureServe