 Although the black catbird is unlikely to be mistaken for any other mimid species , there are several other black birds — including the melodious blackbird , the bronzed cowbird and the giant cowbird — that occur within the same range and might conceivably cause confusion . All are birds of more open habitats . The melodious blackbird is larger and longer tailed ; it has dark eyes and a stocky bill with an evenly curved culmen . The bronzed cowbird is thicker necked than is the catbird and has a bronzy , rather than purplish or greenish gloss to its plumage ; its eye is bright red rather than dark red . The giant cowbird is considerably larger , and is relatively longer tailed and thicker necked than is the catbird . 
