Who Gets The Mystery Egg?

Brownheadded Cowbirds visit here every year and get other birds to raise their kids. So far, only three species here seem to be fooled by the eggs that mysteriously appear in their nest, and not a stork in sight. Cardinals always get one, and then the Chipping Sparrows and little American Tree Sparrows seem to get one.

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Cute shots and title Mitch, I only see these as they're passing through in spring and fall.

Thanks Sharon. They are pretty interesting birds. Aside from what at first seems to be a nasty habit, they really don't do any damage to other native species. As it turns out, only 3% of their eggs ever hatch and grow to adult stage. Other than that, they are the best behaved birds in the yard. I guess fighting with the birds you want to do all the work of raising your kids wouldn't be a good idea.

Well done Mitch, you are right, other than the egg problem they are quite passive, they just hang around with the tough guys. Beautiful birds too! It is surprising to me that 3% number, man thats low, there are a lot of those guys around here.

Thanks Bret. I didn't bookmark the site, but it said that normal birds can only lay a few eggs per year and the total for their lifetime is really low, but a cowbird female can lay up to 40 eggs per year. I guess she has to, to be able to get any that hatch out. I have quite a few here every summer, maybe 15 or so, but I never see more than 2 or 3 juvies each spring. Only one so far this year.

very nice Mitch

Good series, Mitch. Those could be called "dirty birds", putting their kids off on unsuspecting parents.

Thanks guys, they do have some bad habits.

Good to see you posting birds again Mitch!
I'm not sure who is feeding ours, but the are here.

Thanks Lil. I still feed them in the yard, but I do wish I still had a decent lenss for birds. All I have left is my Sigma 105.