Central Ohio NatureMy What A Big Baby!
When not further afield our local park continues to provide interesting things that amaze. In this case it was a Song Sparrow attentively feeding one her “babies”.
Closer to home, the Scioto River below Griggs Reservoir.
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With quite a mouthful, a Song Sparrow heads back to her “offspring” in Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
The “little one” doesn’t appear to have missed many meals! (Donna).
Mom, watch your head, “Junior” is hungry and has a big mouth! (Donna).
After that ordeal mom needs to straighten up!” (Donna).
As you’ve probably figured out the “little one” is actually an immature Cowbird whose egg was dropped into the Song Sparrow nest by it’s freewheeling parents. Obviously not a good thing for the Song Sparrow or any other bird that falls victim.
Considering the Song Sparrow’s plight, an observant Red-eyed Vireo appeared to have a few things to say,
the whole thing seemed to have a nearby Catbird a little unraveled, (Donna)
and the Kingbird also appeared to be beside itself, (Donna).
but did manage to regain it’s composure!
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Why have so few bird species discovered the advantage of depositing their eggs in the nests of other birds? But if the practice were more common it is hard to imagine how it would work. At the extreme, no bird would be rising it’s own offspring. Talk about mass confusion! I guess for now we’ll be left with the mystery and thankful the practice remains the exception! Thanks for stopping by.
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It doesn’t seem fair but if nature is okay with the arrangement then I suppose I should be too.
It does seem to work out but I have heard it’s a bad idea to feed birds, which often end up being Cowbirds, in the summer. This is because it increases their reproductive success which in turn poses additional hardship for birds nesting in the area that are more threatened.
I think that it is one of the hardest things to bear. It seems so tough on the foster parent.