Range expansion of the Shiny Cowbird in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

Post and Wiley (1977a) have reviewed the spread of the Shiny Cowbird (Molothrusb onariensisw) within the last 100 years from northern South America through the Lesser Antilles and into the Greater Antilles as far west as Hispaniola. This species is an obligate brood parasite with a wide host specificity (Friedmann 1963). Its parasitic habits and tolerance for disturbed habitats have facilitated population increases throughout its traditional (South American) range as well as its extended range (Friedmann 1929, Johnson 1967, Post and Wiley 1977a). Here we document further dispersal of cowbirds banded in the Dominican Republic. We observed and banded cowbirds from October 1976 to October 1978. Additional observations were made in August of 1981 and 1982. Cowbirds were observed in a variety of habitats ranging from mangroves and thorn scrub to the edges of broadleaf forests. Because they feed heavily on rice and grains, most cowbirds were seen in disturbed areas at or near rice fields, pasturelands. and livestock management facilities. We captured cowbirds in mist nets at 3 pig farms within 30 km of Santo Domingo between 10 March and 13 May 1978. In addition to a USFWS metal band, we attached an orange plastic leg streamer at the time of banding.

Citation

Arendt, Wayne J.; Vargas Mora, Tomás A. 1984. Range expansion of the Shiny Cowbird in the Dominican Republic. Journal of Field Ornithology 55:104–107.