Bronzed Cowbird or Brewer’s Blackbird ?

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

There's more to learn about Bronzed Cowbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

Euphagus cyanocephalus

How to recognise a Brewer's blackbird?

General appearance

The Brewer’s blackbird is a medium-sized songbird with a slender body and a rounded head. It has a pointed bill and relatively long legs. The overall plumage is glossy with an iridescent sheen under certain lighting conditions, predominantly appearing black from a distance.

Male vs female

Male Brewer’s blackbirds are characterized by their glossy black overall color, with a purplish sheen on the head and greenish gloss on the body and wings. Females, however, display a more subdued appearance, with brownish-gray plumage, pale throat, and lack the iridescence that males exhibit. Their eyes are darker than those of males.

Juvenile

Juvenile Brewer’s blackbirds resemble females but are generally duller in tone. They have brownish feathers with a streaky appearance and lack the iridescence seen in adults. Unlike adults, their eyes are typically dark brown rather than the yellow seen in mature males.

Size

7.9 - 9.8 in/2.0 - 2.4 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Brewer's blackbird prefers open and semi-open landscapes ranging from fields, prairies, farms to parks. It's often seen in shrubby areas near water, aspen groves in mountain meadows, and shores.

Additional range

Moreover, this bird adapts well to human-altered environments; farmland, irrigated or plowed fields, suburban lawns, and city parking lots are common places to find it.

Range Map

What do Brewer’s blackbirds like to eat?

Natural diet

The Brewer's blackbird primarily feeds on a diverse array of insects and seeds. Its insect diet includes grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, aphids, caterpillars, and termites, as well as some spiders, snails, and tiny crustaceans. Additionally, it consumes many seeds from grasses and weeds and also indulges in waste grain. During the summer months, its diet is complemented by berries.

Bird feeders

Brewer's blackbirds are known to visit bird feeders, where they commonly eat grains and seeds. They often consume cracked corn, millet, and sunflower seeds. While they prefer natural foraging, feeders provide an additional food source, especially in urban and suburban areas.

What does a Brewer's blackbird sound like?

The Brewer's blackbird produces an array of vocalizations including gurgles, squawks, and whistles. Its call patterns can be described as either falling or rising. The call types vary considerably from a buzzing sound to chatter, chirp or chip, and whistle. These sounds give a glimpse into the bird's complex communication system.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

There's more to learn about Brewer’s Blackbird

Bronzed Cowbird

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Brewer’s Blackbird

Bronzed Cowbird

Molothrus aeneus

General appearance

Meet the bronzed cowbird, a dynamic marvel in the bird world! Flaunting an innate fashion sense, this bird adorns a full-bodied, glossy black-plumaged coat that varies from dark to shimmering bronzed-brown. It's renowned for the blazing red eyes that contrast attractively with its overall dark exterior. Defined and distinct, their robust bill and large stature separate them from other cowbird types.

Male vs female

While both sexes of bronzed cowbirds carry an air of mystery with their dashing black feathers and vivacious eyes, males step up their look! They appear larger, more intimidating, with a pronounced gloss of tawny bronze. Still, our ladies are not left behind; they have a subtle charm, being slightly smaller with a less glossy, but still beautiful brownish-black plumage. Each sex carries its distinctive flair to the bird party!

Juvenile

The juveniles tag along, less flashy but insistently noticeable. They are a duller brown than the adult female and do not yet possess the iconic piercing red eyes. Instead, their eyes take a more relaxed gray-brown shade. But hold on tight, though less showy, these young cowbirds evolve into their striking adult colors as they mature. So, spotting a bronzed cowbird chick could mean being an audience to an unforgettable transformation!

Size

7.5 - 8.3 in/1.9 - 2.5 oz

There's more to learn about Bronzed Cowbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

Euphagus cyanocephalus

General appearance

The Brewer’s blackbird is a medium-sized songbird with a slender body and a rounded head. It has a pointed bill and relatively long legs. The overall plumage is glossy with an iridescent sheen under certain lighting conditions, predominantly appearing black from a distance.

Male vs female

Male Brewer’s blackbirds are characterized by their glossy black overall color, with a purplish sheen on the head and greenish gloss on the body and wings. Females, however, display a more subdued appearance, with brownish-gray plumage, pale throat, and lack the iridescence that males exhibit. Their eyes are darker than those of males.

Juvenile

Juvenile Brewer’s blackbirds resemble females but are generally duller in tone. They have brownish feathers with a streaky appearance and lack the iridescence seen in adults. Unlike adults, their eyes are typically dark brown rather than the yellow seen in mature males.

Size

7.9 - 9.8 in/2.0 - 2.4 oz

There's more to learn about Brewer’s Blackbird

How to tell the Bronzed Cowbird from the Brewer’s Blackbird

Visual differences

The Bronzed Cowbird, at 7.5-8.3 inches, is slightly smaller than the Brewer's Blackbird, which measures 8-10 inches. Bronzed Cowbirds have a robust bill and striking red eyes, contrasting their glossy black or bronzed plumage. In contrast, Brewer's Blackbird males boast a purplish head sheen and greenish gloss on their body, with pale eyes, while females are brownish-gray. Juveniles of both are duller, but male Brewer's retain distinctive yellow eyes as adults. Both have iridescent qualities, but the Brewer's Blackbird often appears more slender with a pointed bill.

Key differences and behavior

Bronzed Cowbirds and Brewer's Blackbirds exhibit distinct behavioral differences. Bronzed Cowbirds are brood parasites, laying eggs in the nests of over 100 other species, leaving parenting entirely to the host. Conversely, Brewer's Blackbirds are involved parents, nesting in colonies and collaboratively raising their young. While both species inhabit open areas, Bronzed Cowbirds favor lowland farmlands and wander during breeding, whereas Brewer's Blackbirds thrive in semi-open areas, including urban landscapes. In terms of diet, both birds consume seeds and insects, yet Bronzed Cowbirds focus on grass seeds and insects like beetles, while Brewer's Blackbirds are notable pest controllers, targeting agricultural pests. Social behavior diverges as Bronzed Cowbirds display elaborate solo courtship, but Brewer's Blackbirds court communally and partake in mate feeding.

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