molothrus
Definition
- Noun:
- A genus of birds: "Molothrus" is the scientific genus name for a group of birds commonly known as cowbirds. These are New World blackbirds known for their brood parasitic behavior, meaning they lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The Molothrus ater, or brown-headed cowbird, is a common sight in North America.
- Ornithologists study the behavior of Molothrus species to understand brood parasitism.
Advanced Usage
- In scientific taxonomy: The word is used almost exclusively in biological and ornithological contexts to refer to this specific genus.
- The genus Molothrus falls within the family Icteridae.
Variants and Related Words
- Cowbird (n): The common name for birds of the genus .
- The cowbird is a brood parasite.
Synonyms
- Cowbird: The common English name.
- Brood parasite: A descriptive term for its reproductive strategy (though this applies to other species as well).
Related Terms
- Icterid (n): A member of the family Icteridae, which includes blackbirds, orioles, and cowbirds.
- Brood parasitism (n): The reproductive strategy exhibited by birds in this genus.
Noun
-
cowbirds
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