Saturday, May 23, 2015

Cowbird, UH-OH

 House Wren

This cute wren and its mate had been building a nest for a couple of days when along came a...

 Oh, look what the cowbird found!

female Brown-headed Cowbird!  This is not good news for the wrens as cowbirds lay their eggs in other birds' nests and let the surrogate mothers take care of their young.

Looking for a way to get inside

Luckily for the wrens, the cowbird couldn't get in.

Besides the wrens chased the cowbird away - hopefully for good!

I am linking to Saturday Critters HERE.
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38 comments:

  1. chicaMay 23, 2015 at 5:48 AM

    Muito lindo e parece fez pose pra ti! bjs, chica

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  2. RevrunnerMay 23, 2015 at 5:55 AM

    Cowbird is now undergoing therapy as he tries to deal with rejection. :-)

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  3. Sallie (FullTime-Life)May 23, 2015 at 5:56 AM

    Good series. I hope the wrens are permanently successful in their war with the cowbirds (which really are te bird worlds forces of evil!)

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  4. DeniseinVAMay 23, 2015 at 6:09 AM

    Phew!

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  5. Gill - That British WomanMay 23, 2015 at 6:11 AM

    and you said birds didn't lead interesting lives!!

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  6. Gill - That British WomanMay 23, 2015 at 6:11 AM

    and you said birds didn't lead interesting lives!!

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  7. UnknownMay 23, 2015 at 6:34 AM

    Fab pictures, as I always say you have such patience..

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  8. Suburban GirlMay 23, 2015 at 7:24 AM

    Such a crazy thing. I'm glad the hole was too small.

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  9. AnvilcloudMay 23, 2015 at 7:59 AM

    judging by the number of cowbirds, they are very successful with this strategy.

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  10. Pamela GordonMay 23, 2015 at 8:36 AM

    Lovely photos. I've seen another pair of tree swallows fighting over the rights to the birdhouse a lot. One pair is set up but another keeps coming around and bothering them. Not sure if this is normal or not. I'm glad the cowbird didn't get in!

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  11. TexWisGirlMay 23, 2015 at 9:05 AM

    strike one for the cowbird!

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  12. Yogi♪♪♪May 23, 2015 at 9:34 AM

    You always take such good pics of birds.

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  13. jo(e)May 23, 2015 at 9:55 AM

    I've read about cowbirds -- nice to see some pictures of one!

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  14. 21 WitsMay 23, 2015 at 10:04 AM

    So beautiful! What a cutie!

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  15. William KendallMay 23, 2015 at 10:43 AM

    Very tricky!

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  16. JudyMay 23, 2015 at 10:56 AM

    What a sneaky bird! Good shots of her too.

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  17. Taken For GrantedMay 23, 2015 at 10:56 AM

    You have captured the drama of nature in action in your photos.

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  18. Ginny HartzlerMay 23, 2015 at 11:00 AM

    What great pictures of the sneaky attempt! I don't care so much if she lays an egg, as long as she doesn't destroy the ones that are there. BUT I think often the cowbird babies get bigger than the others, and push hem out of the nest and kill them.

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  19. Sylvia KMay 23, 2015 at 11:19 AM

    Terrific captures as always! I think Revrunner is probably right, the Cowbird is probably in therapy these days!! Hope you and the birds have a great weekend -- hopefully a sunny one!!

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  20. MadSnapperMay 23, 2015 at 11:22 AM

    I did not know cowbirds could be a problem for the wrens. beautiful pics of them all

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  21. John @ Beans and I on the LooseMay 23, 2015 at 11:41 AM

    I had the same concern with a resident cowbird couple possibly finding our western bluebird nest but it seems they did not when I last checked. There were five blue eggs, now hatched out and being fed daily by their parents.

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  22. DanMay 23, 2015 at 11:44 AM

    Got to give the Cowbird some credit. They discovered how to delegate. ;-)

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  23. VPMay 23, 2015 at 11:52 AM

    Incredible pictures of so many different birds! You are a source of knowledge!

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  24. KateMay 23, 2015 at 12:32 PM

    Hope those wrens are safe from more uninvited intruders!

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  25. RedPatMay 23, 2015 at 1:39 PM

    Hurray for the wren, EG!

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  26. StephanieMay 23, 2015 at 6:49 PM

    Nice to see one up close, the Cowbird.

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  27. MontanagirlMay 23, 2015 at 8:43 PM

    Yes, the Cowbirds are quite good at passing on their responsibilities! Glad they couldn't gain entrance.

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  28. Ruth HiebertMay 23, 2015 at 10:30 PM

    Thankfully the Cowbird couldn't get into this nest,but unfortunately they will find a different one.

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  29. KathyMay 24, 2015 at 12:12 AM

    Finally one bird (cowbird) that we both have in our usually very different geography.

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  30. HannahMay 24, 2015 at 1:42 AM

    Well, I'm glad to hear that the cowbird failed, wrens are such cute little birds.

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  31. UnknownMay 24, 2015 at 2:06 AM

    Cute little wren! I'm so glad they chased the cowbird away.

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  32. Margaret Birding For PleasureMay 24, 2015 at 2:31 AM

    Well that is nature and both breeds seem to cope with it. great shots.

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  33. eileeninmdMay 24, 2015 at 5:34 AM

    I am glad to hear the cowbird could not fit inside the birdhouse. And so happy the wren chased it away. The cowbirds should take care of their own babies. Cute Wren. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy day!

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  34. cieldequimperMay 25, 2015 at 6:01 AM

    Soooo cute!

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  35. LowellMay 25, 2015 at 9:18 AM

    Pretty darn sneaky, those cowbirds! I know some cowboys who are like that - sneaky.

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  36. AnonymousMay 26, 2015 at 8:39 PM

    So much drama in the bird world!

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  37. cedarmerefarmMay 29, 2015 at 10:35 PM

    Caught red handed!!! Great shots.

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  38. Silver ParrotJune 1, 2015 at 1:50 PM

    Glad the wrens prevailed!

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