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Definition of cowbird

cowbird

/ˈkaʊ.bɜːrd/
cow · bird
Plural:cowbirds
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cowbird Lexical Profile

cowbird Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of several small, brood-parasitic New World blackbirds belonging to the genus Molothrus, native to the Americas and known for laying their eggs in the nests of other bird species to be raised by foster parents.

Example

"The brown-headed cowbird is infamous among birdwatchers because it forces smaller songbirds to raise its demanding chicks."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cowbird

• Nearby Words

cowardly
cowbell
cowberry
cowbird
cowboy
cowcatcher
cower

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 18th century as a shortening of 'cow-pen bird', reflecting the species' habit of foraging for insects stirred up by the hooves of grazing cattle.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cowbird. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cowbird
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