Molothrus

E677656

Molothrus is a genus of New World cowbirds known for their brood-parasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of other bird species.

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Statements (41)

Predicate Object
instanceOf genus
taxon
behavior obligate brood parasitism
chickBehavior chicks often outcompete host young for food
class Aves
commonName New World cowbirds
cowbirds
conservationImpact associated with declines of some songbird populations
describedAs brood-parasitic genus of birds
diet insects
seeds
distributionCharacteristic expanding range in some regions due to habitat changes
eggCharacteristic eggs often mimic size and color of host eggs
eggLayingBehavior lays eggs in nests of other bird species
family Icteridae NERFINISHED
feedingBehavior often follows grazing animals
geographicDistribution New World NERFINISHED
habitat agricultural areas
grasslands
open woodlands
hostNestUse uses nests of other species for incubation and chick rearing
hostRange multiple passerine species
impactOnHosts reduces reproductive success of host species
kingdom Animalia
nativeTo Central America
North America
South America
notableSpecies Molothrus aeneus NERFINISHED
Molothrus ater NERFINISHED
Molothrus bonariensis NERFINISHED
Molothrus oryzivorus NERFINISHED
order Passeriformes
parasitismType non-nesting brood parasite (does not build own nest)
parentTaxon Icteridae NERFINISHED
phylum Chordata
reproductiveStrategy brood parasitism
scientificNameAuthorship George Robert Gray NERFINISHED
sexualDimorphism present in plumage coloration in several species
taxonAuthor George Robert Gray NERFINISHED
taxonRank genus
typeSpecies Molothrus bonariensis NERFINISHED

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Icteridae includes Molothrus