1. a North American blackbird that lays its eggs in the nests of other birds

Examples

• The cowbird is known for its parasitic breeding behavior.
• A female cowbird laid her egg in the warbler’s nest.
• Cowbirds often follow cattle to catch insects stirred up by their movement.
• The host bird unknowingly raised the cowbird chick as its own.
• Brown-headed cowbirds are common throughout much of North America.
• Farmers sometimes see cowbirds perched on the backs of cows.