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Stephanie_Q
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| Posted: July 16 2008 at 12:51pm | IP Logged
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I believe that I have a chipping sparrow nest with a brown-headed cowbird egg in it. I posted a picture here. Comments welcome!
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Stephanie dh 6.01
dd 6.02, dd 8.03, ds 3.05, ds 12.06 at Catholic school.
dd 12.09 at home.
Baby boy due 10.13
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MaryM
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Very interesting. Now that's what I call the epitomy of hands-off parenting. I don't think any of us can relate to that kid of parenting at all  . No advise though - not sure what I would do.
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Mary M. in Denver
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monique
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MaryM wrote:
| Now that's what I call the epitomy of hands-off parenting. |
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Yeah, no kidding! I think I would leave it there and see what happens. 
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Monique
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joann10
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I think I would leave it. It should provide a very good opportunity for a nature study.
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Sarah M
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That's nature's way, so I think I would leave it, too. MacBeth might know, though...
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MacBeth
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| Posted: July 16 2008 at 9:33pm | IP Logged
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Tough one! How are chipping sparrows doing in your neighborhood? My general rule for cowbirds is, if the species needs help, get rid of the cowbird; if there are plenty of chipping sparrows, leave the cowbird.
Probably no help, right? Chipping sparrows are pretty common across the US.
Could you put the cowbird egg in a starling or English sparrow's nest?
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marihalojen
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MacBeth wrote:
| Could you put the cowbird egg in a starling or English sparrow's nest? |
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Counter-terrorism!
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Theresa
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marihalojen wrote:
| Counter-terrorism! |
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How interesting. We had some cowbirds here earlier in the spring and I remember reading a little about them on Dawn's blog I think.
I don't have any advice as what to do though. Would the chipping sparrows take care of the baby cowbird like one of their own?
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TracyQ
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This is just FASCINATING!!!! I never knew such a thing existed!!! Birdie Orphanages!!!! I'll be darned!
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Tracy Q.
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lapazfarm
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marihalojen wrote:
MacBeth wrote:
| Could you put the cowbird egg in a starling or English sparrow's nest? |
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Counter-terrorism! |
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I love it!
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Theresa
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Tina P.
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Starlings regularly deposit eggs in others' nests. Then their babies thrive while the birds' own babies just never get enough. I'm afraid that would happen if you put this little guy in with the larger, more obnoxious starlings.
Could you rig up a little incubator?
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MaryM
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Tina P. wrote:
| I'm afraid that would happen if you put this little guy in with the larger, more obnoxious starlings. |
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I put cowbirds and starlings in the same obnoxious category.
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Mary M. in Denver
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Stephanie_Q
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| Posted: July 18 2008 at 9:04pm | IP Logged
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You ladies are great!
The bird egg is staying put, for now. These are the first chipping sparrows that I've observed but they are also the first cowbirds that I've observed. Our starling population has decreased, but we have a TON of grackles - those are our most obnoxious birds. I think that I might look for a HOUSE sparrow nest with eggs and see if I can put the cowbird egg there. We have plenty of house sparrows...
Thanks!
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Stephaniedh 6.01
dd 6.02, dd 8.03, ds 3.05, ds 12.06 at Catholic school.
dd 12.09 at home.
Baby boy due 10.13
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: what would you do?
