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| Image Found on http://www.sialis.org/cowbirds.htm |
I recently was thrilled to discover a Wren nest in our garden. Miss Wren was diligent in guarding her nest and hatching out her eggs. My excitement soon turned to disappointment when I discovered that not only had Miss Wren hatched out all four of her babies, she also unknowingly had hatched a huge, ginormous Cowbird baby.
Cowbirds are considered to be parasitic birds and are notorious for laying eggs in other birds nests. If there is a removal of their egg, they will display "Mafia" type behavior and destroy the other eggs in the nest. They typically remove one of the hosts eggs and then deposit their egg in the early morning hours when the host bird is out foraging. The host bird has no idea the baby is not their own and will raise it as if it is part of the family.
As much as I dislike having to watch Miss Wren feed all her babies along with this monster baby bird, that to date is almost the size of her, I know this is all a part of Nature. I have to be patient and let nature take its course...
Such a touching story,Steph. I love how you think!
ReplyDeleteThank you Heather! The Wren family + gigantic cowbird are doing fine:) Yay!
ReplyDeleteYou're thoughtful. I think I would have removed the cowbird. I'm normally a pacifist but cowbirds are one of the reasons for the decline of painted buntings, a bird that makes my heart flutter.
ReplyDeleteKathleen,
DeleteI debated on rather or not if I should remove the Cowbird. After doing extensive research I came across conflicting info. Some sources claim they are "protected" and others say you can use methods to remove them. You are right.... They are a danger to the songbird population. Ugh! I can see why it makes your heart flutter.