Habitat: This Cowbird species will favor semiopen areas, agricultural areas and around towns in the lowlands. Distribution: This species has been reported from southeastern Mexico to Bolivia, northeastern Argentina, and southern Brazil. Natural History Notes: Like the other cowbirds, this species is a brood parasite (laying its eggs in other birds nests). They usually feed on insects and seeds, including rice. You might see it perched on top of cattle. Conservation status according to IUCN 2008 Red list: Least Concern (LC). It is a resident species. Characteristics: The total length varies between sexes. The male has a total length of 14 inches, whereas the female has a total length of 11.5 inches (measured from tip of bill to end of tail). Ths bird has a red iris and a thick bill that is masked a little by a bare frontal black shield. The male has a purple black plumage plumage with some ruff on the neck. The female have a less prominent ruff. Both male and female show long pointed wings and a small head.
