cowbird
/ˈkaʊˌbɜrd/
noun
- A North American bird that lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, leaving them to be raised by the host parents.
- Birdwatchers spotted a cowbird following a herd of cattle in the meadow.
- The cowbird laid its egg in the warbler's nest, tricking the warbler into raising its chick.
- Cowbirds are known as brood parasites because they do not build their own nests.