Freeloading cowbirds

[Brad H.]

I was walking around checking the progress of some pine trees i planted four years ago and I stumbled across this nest in one of them. It had two blue eggs and one brown egg. I asked a buddy who knows a lot about birds and he told me the brown egg is a cowbird egg.

He told me they are parasitic nesters. Turns out they wait for a sparrow or robin or whatever to build a nest and lay eggs. The cowbird then lays its egg in that nest and leaves, leaving the egg to be raised by the other bird. They sometimes even take eggs out of a nest to make room for theirs.

To me it sounds like a program our government came up with.

[TRAPnHUNT]

Yeeeeep... Sounds just like a government program!
I wouldn't be surprised if Obama trys giving them insurance too.

[trapperandhunter]

ive heard of that as wel

[determinator]

I've seen a couple of nests that were exactly as you've described. I know it's a cowbird, so I take the egg out of the nest. From what I understand, the cowbird doesn't stay in one area very long, like most birds that set up their own territory, which is why they use other bird's nests to raise their young. They are named cowbirds because they would follow herds of cattle. ;D

[Jack of all Trapping]

Sounds like a woman I once knew!!! Parasitic nester. Yup, tossed her out too!!!

[Admin]

All their kids are in foster homes. I just think that's hilarious.

[nytrapper23]

Yep,dam cowbird.one other thing they also only lay one egg in each nest,and when they lay in a sparrow or similar sized birds nest that one cowbird chick grows twice as fast and is twice the size of the other nestling,they will hog the food from the parent and the other young will most likely die.then all thats left is the government sucking freeloader.and by laying just that one egg in the nest that cowbirds chick chance of making it go way up.I hate cowbirds but that's pretty dang smart way to survive .man it does sound like the welfare system.

[trapper12953]

all that is,is a bunch a free loading idoits,i guess they even get welfare.i wonder who pays for there a**??i shoot everyone i see or get the chance to shoot along with starlings and grackles.

[fishleclair]

Thats just funny Chit right there!!!

[Admin]

The funny thing is I kinda like cowbirds. They make some interesting sounds at the feeder out here. What I can't stand however are those fkn grackles and blue jays.

[Brad H.]

I agree JC, i really like their song. I used to watch them when i was turkey hunting and you can tell them males use damn near every muscle they have to make their call. Here's a good link with a recording of their call:

www.birdjam.com/birdsong.php?id=22

[Ipostbulls**t]

Cool site thanks!