About Molothrus oryzivorus (Gmelin, 1788)
The male giant cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus) is 34 cm (13 in) long and weighs 174–242 g (6.1–8.5 oz). It has iridescent black plumage, a long tail, a long bill, a small head, and a neck ruff that expands during display. Females are smaller, with an average length of 29 cm (11 in) and a weight range of 144–167 g (5.1–5.9 oz). Female plumage is less iridescent than males, and the lack of a neck ruff gives females a less small-headed appearance. Juvenile males are similar to adult males, but are browner overall and have a pale bill instead of a black one. Molothrus oryzivorus is a quiet bird, especially for an icterid. Males produce an unpleasant screeched whistle described as shweeaa-tpic-tpic, and the species' call is a sharp chek-chik. They are also very skilled mimics. This species is associated with open woodland and cultivated areas with large trees, and it is the only cowbird found in deep forest. This gregarious bird feeds mainly on insects, and also eats some seeds including rice. It forages on the ground or in trees, and also searches for fruit, nectar, and arthropods along lakes and rivers, and in banana plantations and corn fields. Unlike some of its relatives, it rarely perches on cattle, but in Brazil it will ride on capybaras to remove ticks and/or horse flies.
