New World Blackbirds (Icteridae)
Giant Cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus) - HBW 16, p. 785
French: Vacher géant
German: Riesenkuhstärling
Spanish: Tordo Gigante
Other common names: Rice Grackle
Taxonomy: O.[riolus] oryzivorus J. F. Gmelin, 1788, Cayenne, French Guiana.
Formerly placed in genus Psomocolax or Scaphidura, but such treatment not supported by molecular-genetic findings. Analyses of mitochondrial DNA indicate closest relationship with M. rufoaxillaris and M. aeneus. Geographical variation weak; further study desirable. Race impacifus commonly emended to “impacificus” but, in absence of any internal evidence in original description (where same original spelling appears three times), there is no justification for such a change under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Two subspecies tentat.. View all taxonomy...
Formerly placed in genus Psomocolax or Scaphidura, but such treatment not supported by molecular-genetic findings. Analyses of mitochondrial DNA indicate closest relationship with M. rufoaxillaris and M. aeneus. Geographical variation weak; further study desirable. Race impacifus commonly emended to “impacificus” but, in absence of any internal evidence in original description (where same original spelling appears three times), there is no justification for such a change under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Two subspecies tentatively recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- impacifus (J. L. Peters, 1929) - E Mexico (Veracruz) S to W Panama.
- oryzivorus (J. F. Gmelin, 1788) - C Panama E to Colombia, S on Pacific coast to NW Peru (Tumbes), and from Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago and the Guianas S to E Peru, Bolivia, N & NE Argentina (Jujuy, Salta and N Corrientes) and most of Brazil (S to Santa Catarina; absent in NE).
- Least Concern Enlarge map
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bird on a feeder in a farm. Locality Rio Claro, Pantanal, Mato Grosso State, Brazil
Antonio Silveira 1 May 2009 40 weeks ago 12 sec 4.3 -
A bird perched on a branch Locality Parque das Aves, Iguaçu National Park, Paraná State, Brazil (ssp oryzivorus)
Josep del Hoyo 10 May 2005 7 years ago 24 sec 4 -
A bird feeding on erythrina flowers Locality Estancia Apa Apa, La Paz Department, Bolivia (ssp oryzivorus)
Josep del Hoyo 25 August 2005 7 years ago 46 sec 3.8 -
A bird, and then another one, inspecting a nest of Crested Oropendola, a species which they parasitize Locality Estancia Apa Apa, La Paz Department, Bolivia (ssp oryzivorus)
Josep del Hoyo 25 August 2005 7 years ago 25 sec 3.8 -
A bird preening and scratching Locality Pousada Aguapé, Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil (ssp oryzivorus)
Josep del Hoyo 9 January 2005 5 years ago 36 sec 3.3 -
A bird perched, stretching Locality Parque das Aves, Iguaçu National Park, Paraná State, Brazil (ssp oryzivorus)
Josep del Hoyo 10 May 2005 7 years ago 43 sec 3.1
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Bird near a feeder.
Locality Pousada Rio Claro, Rio Claro, Pantanal, Mato Grosso State, Brazil
Antonio Silveira 12 May 2009 31 weeks ago 4 -
a female perched in morning sunlight in Maraval
Locality Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago
Stephen Romany 23 October 2010 1 year ago 3.9 -
Bird perched near the feeder.
Locality Rio Claro, Pantanal, Mato Grosso State, Brazil
Antonio Silveira 12 May 2009 45 weeks ago 3.8 -
A male displaying.
Locality Iguazú National Park, Misiones Province, Argentina
Ken Havard 4 December 2012 11 weeks ago 3 -
Feeding in a tree
Locality La Aurora Reserve, Paz de Ariporo, Casanare Department, Colombia
mauricio rueda 2 January 2012 1 year ago 3 -
adult male staring at me....kind of weird!!
Locality Granville, Cedros, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago
Sanjiv Parasram 1 February 2010 3 years ago 3
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Male displaying Locality Iguazú National Park, Misiones Province, Argentina
Nacho Areta 1 November 2008 3 years ago 4
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