Species
This family includes five species of cowbirds that form the natural genus Molothrus. This has been determined by phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences.
The Molothrus genus contains:
- Screaming Cowbird, Molothrus rufoaxillaris
- Giant Cowbird, Molothrus oryzivorus (formerly in Scaphidura)
- Bronzed Cowbird, Molothrus aeneus
- Shiny Cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis
- Brown-headed Cowbird, Molothrus ater
The non-brood parasitic Bay-winged Cowbird was formerly placed in this genus; it is now classified as Agelaioides badius.
Read more about this topic: Cowbird
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