Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Birdies

Mom had mentioned a few weeks ago that they had a robin's nest in their wreath on the front door. Then it was destroyed (she thinks it may have been the cardinals... but now we think it may be the COWBIRDS!). When I get there a new nest was being constructed :). We would check the progress at night (so that we wouldn't scare the birds away while they were building). It kept growing and taking shape. Then one day there was a litte blue-ish - green-ish egg. Then the next day there was a second egg, but it was different (larger a speckled, like a malted milk ball). I told her that they must be sharing a nest, but no one believed me. Then day three a third egg, and then a fourth and fifth! They just kept coming!! Finally we decided to do some research. We thought it was a wren, but now we think it is a HOUSE FINCH and COWBIRDS!

Cowbirds - Cowbirds are birds belonging to the genus Molothrus in the family Icteridae. They are brood parasitic New World birds which are unrelated to the Old World cuckoos, one of which, the Common Cuckoo, is the best-known brood parasitic bird. These birds feed on insects, including the large numbers that may be stirred up by cattle. In order for the birds to remain mobile and stay with the herd, they have adapted by laying their eggs in other birds' nests. The cowbird will watch for when its host lays eggs, and when the nest is left unattended, the female will come in and lay its own eggs. The female cowbird may continue to observe the nest after laying her eggs. If the cowbird egg is removed, the female cowbird may destroy the host's eggs.

Mom now has to decide whether or not ti take the Cowbird eggs out of the nest or wait for the 'circle of life' to take place.





More to come when the birdies are born (and possibly killed - EEKS).

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