Shiny Cowbird

Diagnosis

The observed individuals of Shiny Cowbird matched the morphological and behavioral characterstics of the species (Fig. 3a, b, c). The most remarkable characteristic was the dull grayish coloration on the dorsum, but paler on the venter and throat, and the greyish white eyebrows (Hilty and Brown 1986, Restall et al. 2006). For Ecuador, three subspecies have been documented: M. b. aequatorialis in the north, M. b. occidentalis in the south, and M. b. riparius in the east (Restall et al. 2006). The juveniles that we observed have a clear coloration (Fig. 3a, b) that matches that of the subspecies M. b. occidentalis , and not that of M. b. aequatorialis— which is darker — as would be expected for the location of Quito in the north of the country. Nevertheless, juvenile coloration might not match that of adults and more studies should be conducted for subspecific assignment perhaps using an integrative taxonomic approach combining molecular, morphological and biogeographic information.

The Shiny Cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis (Gmelin, 1789) (Aves: Icteridae), at 2,800 m asl in Quito, Ecuador

Distribution

Breeding regions are NA, SA. Breeding subregions are se USA (rare), Caribbean, Costa Rica to c Chile and sc Argentina.

IOC World Bird List, v

Biomas

Helobioma del Valle del Cauca | Zonobioma Alternohígrico Tropical | Orobioma Azonal | Orobioma Bajo de los Andes | Orobioma Medio de los Andes | Orobioma Alto de los Andes

Aves del departamento del Valle del Cauca, Colombia, Suramérica.

Áreas protegidas

Parque Nacional Natural | Reserva Forestal Protectora Nacional | Reserva Forestal Protectora Regional | Distrito Regional de Manejo Integrado | Parque Natural Regional | Reserva Natural de la Sociedad Civil | Área Importante para la Conservación de las Aves| RAMSAR

Aves del departamento del Valle del Cauca, Colombia, Suramérica.