Scaphidura oryzivora The giant cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus) is a large passerine bird in the New World family Icteridae.

The giant cowbird was formally described in 1788 by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in his revised and expanded edition of Carl Linnaeus's Systema Naturae.

[5] Two subspecies are recognised:[5] It is associated with open woodland and cultivation with large trees, but is also the only cowbird that is found in deep forest.

Their icterid hosts breed colonially, and defend their nests vigorously, so even a large, bold and aggressive species like the giant cowbird has to cover an extensive territory to find sufficient egg-laying opportunities.

[7] It rarely perches on cattle, unlike some of its relatives, but in Brazil it will ride on capybaras as it removes ticks[7] and/or horse flies.