Saturday, March 26, 2011

A Bad Penny

More so than at any time previously, we seem to have Brown Headed Cowbirds to stay for awhile. Since one dropped by in earlier February I think it was, I am hearing the distinctive call notes (a sort of "zzzzzzzip") frequently, and today spotted the male all over the place, and even BirdCam picked him up this afternoon atop the suet feeder. I'd say this bad boy is collaborating in some active brood parasitism. Not that the regulars will be put out: most perennial species have adapted to Cowbirds and destroy the offending eggs. Our migrant Catbirds might get some trouble, but other than that the Cowbirds are merely a nuisance. Like a bad penny, this one turned up.

No comments: