http://www.flickr.co...N05/7158493437/
I've seen a song sparrow every day at the feeder for some time now. Today it showed up with two cowbird fledglings in tow. I felt pretty sorry for the sparrow.
6 replies to this topic
#2
sailormom64
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Posted 06 June 2012 - 03:22 AM
aww, that is so sad, that the sparrows efforts to have a family were thwarted by the cowbirds. I have a pair of cowbirds hanging around my yard. I just feel like they are up to no good!
What I have learned so far.... just because you think that bird is just another _____ (house sparrow, chickadee, crow or whatever you are used to seeing) look a little closer... you just might be surprised!
#3
hbvol
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hbvol
- LocationEast Tennessee
Posted 07 June 2012 - 02:59 AM
they always are
#4
sailormom64
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Posted 07 June 2012 - 06:12 AM
Today there were two females and one male sitting on top of my house. I thought they were up to no good. Tried to "shoo" them but they only moved over about 5 feet on my roof! Does anyone know how to deter them? I think by providing feeders I attract birds and in doing that I attract the cowbirds who are seizing on their opportunities. I have to weigh that out in my brain. Though I truly enjoy seeing the birds at the feeders, I don't like setting them up for the failures that lie ahead.
What I have learned so far.... just because you think that bird is just another _____ (house sparrow, chickadee, crow or whatever you are used to seeing) look a little closer... you just might be surprised!
#5
JimBob
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Little SuperBirder
- LocationSan Diego County
Posted 07 June 2012 - 11:49 AM
I have feeders and have seen three Cowbird fledglings being fed by different pairs of cardinals. . . 
ABA list: 295 Latest: Swamp Sparrow
2013: 220
Yard List: 85 Latest: Violet-green Swallow, Tricolored Blackbird
http://www.flickr.co...s/89595711@N08/
2013: 220
Yard List: 85 Latest: Violet-green Swallow, Tricolored Blackbird
http://www.flickr.co...s/89595711@N08/
#6
cwj2323
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Ferhoodled
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Posted 07 June 2012 - 03:05 PM
Does anyone know how to deter them? .
There is nothing really that I am aware of, but you can hunt through the laws and find out if they are protected or not. You need to be state specific for this because what they do in one state or even county is not necessarily ok in another.
Personally, I've thrown stones at them. My aim is terrible bad though. If I aim for them, I occasionally hit the tree and it scares them off- for a time. They always come back, though. So the good feeling doesn't last long.
Life list (non ABA)- 204 Latest: American Golden-plover Coolest: Audubon's Warbler
2013 Year list- 159 Latest: American Golden-plover
Yard list- 107 Latest: Great Egret Coolest: Lesser Yellowlegs (This bird was terribly lost during our May snow, we are near no shore for this shorebird)
2013 Year list- 159 Latest: American Golden-plover
Yard list- 107 Latest: Great Egret Coolest: Lesser Yellowlegs (This bird was terribly lost during our May snow, we are near no shore for this shorebird)
#7
hbvol
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hbvol
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Posted 07 June 2012 - 03:51 PM
Last year at the feeder, the eastern towhees had one cowbird chick and one towhee chick. This year it's the song sparrow's turn. All my cardinals seem to show up with only cardinal chicks. I have read that goldfinches and waxwings are somewhat immune because cowbird chicks can't survive on the diet that they feed their chicks.
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