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Cardinal feeding a baby cow bird?

© Micky Cleveland

Cardinal feeding a baby cow bird?

Uploaded: June 10, 2019 | Entered: June 10, 2019 00:00:00

Description

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the Cardinal feeding a baby cow bird! The brown-headed cowbird is an obligate brood parasite: it lays its eggs in the nests of other small passerines (perching birds), particularly those that build cup-like nests. The brown-headed cowbird eggs have been documented in nests of at least 220 host species, including hummingbirds and raptors. The young cowbird is fed by the host parents at the expense of their own young. Brown-headed cowbird females can lay 36 eggs in a season. More than 140 different species of birds are known to have raised young cowbirds.

Exif: Camera: Canon Canon EOS 6D Mark II; Shutter Speed: 1/2000; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 3200; Orientation: 1; Date: 2019:06:10 07:15:41

Comments

Shirley D. Freeman June 10, 2019

Wow, Micky, that is incredible! The image as well as the story behind it. I know they cowbirds have visited our yard and bird feeder, but to my knowledge, haven't laid eggs in the nest box we have for the bluebirds. I think they are too large to fit into the whole on the nest box, so probably safe. <>< #1726136

Micky Cleveland level-classic June 10, 2019

Thanks Shirley, I am on my 2nd run of Bluebirds and for sure the cow-birds will not fit. It's good to hear from you, I am just getting back on my feet since Candy died last October. My granddaughter and great, great grandson cam to visit, he is a busy one year old. I have a tone of bluebirds flying back and forth. #11769210

Pat Abbott level-classic June 25, 2019

Great catch! #11769891

Dominick M. Dimacale level-addict August 01, 2019

Congratulations on your Win, Micky !!! #11772806

Micky Cleveland level-classic August 01, 2019

Thanks Pat & Dominick, its not often you see a Cardinal feeding a Cowbird or should I say raising one! #11772911

Jeff Robinson level-deluxe August 03, 2019

Congrats Micky on this Outstanding Win! #11773287

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