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Glite Dictionary
Molothrus

Molothrus

1 9.9
A group of birds like cowbirds that lay eggs in other birds' nests
  • noun
  • /məˈlɔːθrəs/
  • Specialized
: Molothrus
  • The Molothrus species often lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, leading to their offspring being raised by unwitting foster parents.
  • Molothrus cowbird
  • Molothrus ater
  • brown-headed cowbird

Examples

  • At each visit to the nest, we recorded the number of eggs and chicks, the age of chicks, the presence of adults near the nest, and any Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism.

    Academic text (2017)

  • The Molothrus is known for its unique parasitic nesting behavior, which influences the reproductive success of its host species.

  • Birdwatchers can often spot a Molothrus in fields, where they forage alongside other species for insects and seeds.

Surface Forms

Molothrus singular
Molothruses plural

Etymology

Molothrus is the scientific name for cowbirds and comes from an old Greek word used by early scientists. A helpful way to remember it is that the name was linked to ideas like 'strange' or 'mischief', which fits these birds because they lay their eggs in other birds' nests and act like nest intruders.