Other Scientific Names
Scaphidura oryzivora [BirdLife International (2004)], Scaphidura oryzivora [Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)], Scaphidura oryzivora [Stotz et al. (1996)], Molothrus oryzivora
Giant Cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus) [XC50796]
by Ken Allaire from Acambuco, Tartagal, Salta, Argentina (song)
Giant Cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus) [XC371312]
by Jerome Fischer from Chile, South of SiksaTingni, Honduras (song)
Subspecies
Formerly placed in genus Psomocolax or Scaphidura, but such treatment not supported by molecular-genetic findings. Analyses of mitochondrial DNA indicate closest relationship with Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus rufoaxillaris) and Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus). Geographical variation weak. Further study is desirable. Subspecies impacifus commonly emended to "impacificus" but, in absence of any internal evidence in original description (where same original spelling appears three times), there is no justification for such a change under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
impacifus (Peters, JL, 1929) - Eastern Mexico (Veracruz) south to western Panama.
oryzivorus (Gmelin, 1788) - Central Panama east to Colombia, southern on Pacific coast to north-western Peru (Tumbes), and from Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago and the Guianas south to eastern Peru, Bolivia, northern and north-eastern Argentina (Jujuy, Salta and northern Corrientes) and most of Brazil (south to Santa Catarina; absent in north-east).