Cowbirds

[jmcquown]

Brown headed cowbirds. I noticed a number of them showing up at the
seed feeder. I promptly brought the feeder inside. There have been a
large number of other birds coming to the feeder including common
(house) sparrows, red and purple finches. Cowbirds are notorious for
laying eggs in other birds' nests. Sorry, the seed eating birds in the
area will have to wait until the cowbirds depart. It's for their own good.

Thankfully, cowbirds don't have the ability to cling to suet cages. So
I brought the seed feeder inside and left the suet cage. There have
been a plethora of birds at the suet. Brilliant Northern Bluebirds
(male and female). Carolina Wrens. Southern Chickadees. Red Bellied
Woodpeckers (male and female). Downy Woodpeckers (male and female).
Northern Flickers. What appear to be Pine Warblers.

As always, they all appreciate the fresh water in the bird bath.

The cowbirds need to go away.

Jill in Southern South Carolina

[Paul Drahn]

Brown headed cowbirds.  I noticed a number of them showing up at the
seed feeder.  I promptly brought the feeder inside.  There have been a
large number of other birds coming to the feeder including common
(house) sparrows, red and purple finches.  Cowbirds are notorious for
laying eggs in other birds' nests.  Sorry, the seed eating birds in the
area will have to wait until the cowbirds depart.  It's for their own good.
Thankfully, cowbirds don't have the ability to cling to suet cages.  So
I brought the seed feeder inside and left the suet cage.  There have
been a plethora of birds at the suet.  Brilliant Northern Bluebirds
(male and female).  Carolina Wrens.  Southern Chickadees.  Red Bellied
Woodpeckers (male and female).  Downy Woodpeckers (male and female).
Northern Flickers.  What appear to be Pine Warblers.
As always, they all appreciate the fresh water in the bird bath.
The cowbirds need to go away.
Jill in Southern South Carolina

Around here, Central Oregon, the cowbirds are particular and use only
Brewers blackbird nests. Last year I did not see a single Brewers baby,
but several cowbird babies being fed by Brewers.
The crows raided the Brewers nests about once a week and took all the
brewer babies. but seem to have left the cowbird babies. Strange.
Paul