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cowbird

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cow⋅bird

[kou-burd]
–noun
any of several New World blackbirds of the genus Molothrus, esp. M. ater, of North America, that accompany herds of cattle.

Origin:
1795–1805, Americanism; cow 1 + bird
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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cow·bird   (kou'bûrd')   
n.  Any of various blackbirds of the genus Molothrus, especially the common North American species M. ater, that lay their eggs in the nests of other birds and are often seen accompanying herds of grazing cattle.

[From their habit of staying with cattle.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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