[birdky] Beleaguered Cowbird
- From: Jim Seelhorst <jaseelhorst@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:24:57 -0400
A commotion outside my kitchen window caught my eye one afternoon earlier this
week. At first I could only make out a female bh-cowbird fluttering to my deck
and assuming a defensive crouch. Then in hot pursuit out of the bushes and
through the railing came a pair of cardinals. The female cardinal led the
attack and was especially relentless, showing no mercy as she repeatedly
pounced and pecked beak-full's of feathers from the cowbird. The male cardinal
basically played a support role, only following his mate's lead and never
coming into contact with the cowbird. I've never seen a female cardinal so
angry. But was she ever mad. I suspect she caught the cowbird trying to lay
an egg in her nest or at least coming too close for comfort. I've heard that
year-round species are more successful in defending their nest against
cowbirds. This pair at least is giving it a good try.
A pair of cardinals nests somewhere in my back yard each year and usually close
to the house but I haven't yet located their nest site this year. The location
of the above conflict didn't offer any clues as to its whereabouts.
Jim Seelhorst
St. Matthews (Louisville)
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