FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] Re: Indigo Bunting

["Ian Stewart" <istew2@xxxxxxx>]

>I know Cowbirds replace the eggs of other birds with their own.  However, =
we
>had 4 blue eggs scattered about in our backyard that were nowhere near a
>tree, brush or shrub.  Is this the work of the cowbird?

I'm willing to bet they are starling eggs. Are they pale blue or a really t=
urquoise blue? Starlings are pale blue, robins much prettier.

Starlings often take eggs out of each others' nests and just drop them on t=
he ground, usually on a lawn or grassy area (I don't often see them smash=
ed on the concrete for whatever reason - maybe to avoid attracting unwant=
ed scavengers/predators?).

Cheers
Ian

Ian Stewart
T.H. Morgan School of Biology
University of Kentucky
Lexington
Kentucky
40506-0225
(859) 323-9499
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