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Species authority page

Shiny cowbird

Molothrus bonariensis · Unprotected and nuisance birds

Shiny cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis): Male black all over with shiny purple gloss. Much like Brown-headed Cowbird in size and shape; females not safely identified. This profile does not establish whether taking it is legal anywhere.

Check rules for a place and dateOpen the shiny cowbird map

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

Shiny cowbird standing in grass
Photo by Patrícia Nicoloso on Unsplash
Scientific name
Molothrus bonariensis
Family
Icteridae
In North America
Introduced
Range
Resident from eastern Panama south to central Chile and Argentina; expanded through the Caribbean during the 1900s, reaching Puerto Rico in 1955; in North America occurs mostly in southern Florida.
Biology

How to identify it

Male black all over with shiny purple gloss. [1][2]

Much like Brown-headed Cowbird in size and shape; females not safely identified. [1][2]

Most other all-black birds are either much larger or have pale eyes. [1][2]

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

Compared with the brown-headed cowbird: Similar in size and shape; the male Shiny is entirely black with purple gloss, and females are not safely separated. [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 shiny cowbird before you act. Compared with the brown-headed cowbird: Similar in size and shape; the male Shiny is entirely black with purple gloss, and females are not safely separated.[1][2]
Field knowledge

Where it lives

Semi-open country; in North America mostly near the coast, often foraging on extensive lawns. [1][2]

Field knowledge

How it behaves

Migration within North America poorly known; spring numbers move through southern Florida, and strays have reached Texas, Oklahoma and Maine [1][2]

Forages mostly walking on the ground in open areas, often in small flocks with other cowbirds or blackbirds [1][2]

Melodious warble song and harsh metallic call notes [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 eastern Panama south to central Chile and Argentina; expanded through the Caribbean during the 1900s, reaching Puerto Rico in 1955; in North America occurs mostly in southern Florida.

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