Cowbird: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฆ
cowbird
[ หkaสbษหrd ]
bird species
Cowbirds are a family of brood-parasitic birds that belong to the Icteridae family. These birds are known for laying their eggs in the nests of other bird species, allowing those birds to raise their young. The young cowbirds often outcompete the host's chicks for food and resources, which can negatively impact the host species. Cowbirds are typically found in open habitats and are often associated with grazing animals, from which they derive their name. Their call is distinctive, often characterized by a series of whistles and chirps.
Synonyms
Icteridae, brood parasite.
Examples of usage
- The cowbird's eggs are laid in the nests of sparrows.
- Many bird species are affected by the brood-parasitism of cowbirds.
- In spring, cowbirds can be seen following herds of cattle.
- The cowbird's call can often be heard in the meadows.
- Cowbirds have a unique breeding strategy that puzzles many ornithologists.
Translations
Translations of the word "cowbird" in other languages:
๐ต๐น vaca-pรกssaro
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคพเคฏ เคชเคเฅเคทเฅ
๐ฉ๐ช Kรผhevogel
๐ฎ๐ฉ burung sapi
๐บ๐ฆ ะบะพัะพะฒะฐ-ะฟัะฐั
๐ต๐ฑ krowiak
๐ฏ๐ต ใซใฆใใผใ
๐ซ๐ท vache-oiseau
๐ช๐ธ pรกjaro vaca
๐น๐ท inek kuลu
๐ฐ๐ท ์์
๐ธ๐ฆ ุทุงุฆุฑ ุงูุจูุฑุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ krรกva ptรกk
๐ธ๐ฐ kravopta
๐จ๐ณ ็้ธ
๐ธ๐ฎ kravji ptica
๐ฎ๐ธ kรบfugl
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะธัั าาฑัั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแแ แแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ inษk quลu
๐ฒ๐ฝ pรกjaro vaca
Etymology
The term 'cowbird' originates from the early 19th century, combining 'cow,' referring to the animal frequently associated with the bird's foraging behavior, and 'bird.' Cowbirds were named for their habit of following cattle and other large herbivores, which disturbed insects, making them easier for cowbirds to catch. This behavior has led to a close association between cowbirds and grazers. The brood-parasitic nature of these birds was noted by early naturalists, who observed that cowbirds would lay their eggs in the nests of other species, prompting concerns about their impact on host populations. Over time, the behavior of cowbirds has become a subject of extensive study within ornithology and ecology, as researchers aim to understand the evolutionary strategies of brood parasitism and its ecological consequences.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #35,134, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.
- ...
- 35131 vireo
- 35132 shalom
- 35133 unimaginably
- 35134 cowbird
- 35135 exaggeratedly
- 35136 staving
- 35137 backbiting
- ...