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Stephanie_Q Forum Pro
Joined: Aug 25 2007 Location: Nebraska
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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!
__________________ 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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MaryM Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005 Location: Colorado
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Posted: July 16 2008 at 1:17pm | IP Logged
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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.
__________________ Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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monique Forum Pro
Joined: Sept 11 2007 Location: Wyoming
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Posted: July 16 2008 at 5:19pm | IP Logged
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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.
__________________ Monique
mom to 5
Raising Saints
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joann10 Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 10 2007
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Posted: July 16 2008 at 5:52pm | IP Logged
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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 Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 06 2008 Location: Washington
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Posted: July 16 2008 at 6:10pm | IP Logged
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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 Forum All-Star
Probably at the beach...
Joined: Jan 27 2005 Location: New York
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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?
__________________ God Bless!
MacBeth in NY
Don's wife since '88; "Mom" to the Fab 4
Nature Study
MacBeth's Blog
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marihalojen Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 12 2006 Location: Florida
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Posted: July 17 2008 at 7:24am | IP Logged
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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!
__________________ ~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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Theresa Forum All-Star
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Posted: July 17 2008 at 10:10am | IP Logged
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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?
__________________ Theresa
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TracyQ Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: New York
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Posted: July 17 2008 at 10:27am | IP Logged
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This is just FASCINATING!!!! I never knew such a thing existed!!! Birdie Orphanages!!!! I'll be darned!
__________________ Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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lapazfarm Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005 Location: Alaska
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Posted: July 17 2008 at 4:10pm | IP Logged
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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!
__________________ Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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Tina P. Forum All-Star
Joined: June 28 2005 Location: N/A
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Posted: July 17 2008 at 5:10pm | IP Logged
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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?
__________________ Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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MaryM Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005 Location: Colorado
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Posted: July 17 2008 at 6:52pm | IP Logged
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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.
__________________ Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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Stephanie_Q Forum Pro
Joined: Aug 25 2007 Location: Nebraska
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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!
__________________ 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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