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Submitted By
Rebecca Rowley
Houghton, NY, United States
Description
We’ve been watching the evolution of a Dark-Eyed Junco nest as its been parasitized by a Cowbird. We believe that two of the Junco eggs have been eaten and replaced by two Cowbird eggs at different times. One of the Cowbird eggs has hatched.
Category
Species
Cowbird Young In Junco Nest
I highly dislike brown-headed cowbirds. What lazy (but opportunistic) parasites! >:( It’s also a shame that the other bird species suffer as a consequence.
As a native species, the Brown-headed Cowbird is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and taking eggs is illegal. So any person who violates the Migratory Bird Treaty Act by murdering baby cowbirds is subject to a criminal penalty of up to $5,000 for each bird unlawfully taken or possessed; civil restitution fee for each bird unlawfully taken or possessed; and. license suspension or revocation
I found a cowbird egg in a Chipping Sparrows nest with three eggs. The tiny nest had littlw room for the sparrows if they were to hatch and I new they would be ejected or starve. I removed the cowbird egg?
Hi Tim,
Brown-headed Cowbirds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is illegal to remove their eggs or young from bird nests. Please leave the egg in place. You can read more about cowbirds and their breeding strategy here: http://nestwatch.org/learn/general-bird-nest-info/brown-headed-cowbirds/.
Best,
Chelsea, NestWatch project assistant.
As a native species, the Brown-headed Cowbird is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and taking eggs is illegal. So any person who violates the Migratory Bird Treaty Act by murdering baby cowbirds is subject to a criminal penalty of up to $5,000 for each bird unlawfully taken or possessed; civil restitution fee for each bird unlawfully taken or possessed; and. license suspension or revocation
That is the most ridiculous statement I have heard! Really who knew it was a crime to remove a parasite bird’s egg?
It’s great that you care about the other birds that nest in your bird houses, but think about it this way; If everyone removed every Cowbird egg they found, then the Cowbird population would drop dramatically. Also, like Holly Grant later said, Cowbirds have not caused any major population decline for other species.
As a native species, the Brown-headed Cowbird is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and taking eggs is illegal. So any person who violates the Migratory Bird Treaty Act by murdering baby cowbirds is subject to a criminal penalty of up to $5,000 for each bird unlawfully taken or possessed; civil restitution fee for each bird unlawfully taken or possessed; and. license suspension or revocation
Imagine what it is like for the poor cowbird!
Cowbirds are horrible parasites, and they are starting to overcrowd some places. It is truly heartbreaking to see a Dark-eyed junco, Common Yellowthroat, or other small bird trying to feed a restless, giant cowbird chick that practically dwarfs their ‘parent’.
As a native species, the Brown-headed Cowbird is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and taking eggs is illegal. So any person who violates the Migratory Bird Treaty Act by murdering baby cowbirds is subject to a criminal penalty of up to $5,000 for each bird unlawfully taken or possessed; civil restitution fee for each bird unlawfully taken or possessed; and. license suspension or revocation
They are not horrible. They were made that way.
My earlier response was not posted (what happened to free speech)?
How could it be deemed a crime to remove a parasitic bird egg from my property and from the bird house I both made and purchased?
Hi, I’m not sure what happened to your other comment, but Brown-headed Cowbirds are native species to North America, and therefore protected by federal laws. Tampering with their eggs is legal only if you have the proper permits. You can learn more about cowbirds and how some species have developed their own defense adaptations on our website here. It may also help to know that while they seem pervasive, they have not ben implicated in any major declines for other species. By far and large the biggest driver of bird declines is habitat loss and degradation.
Removing Cowbird eggs is llegal.
It’s also cruel. People shouldn’t destroy innocent baby birds for the sake of it.
I like all birds. Vultures, Muscovy ducks, House Sparrows, European Starlings, Cowbirds, Eurasian collared doves. All birds.
While Brown-Headed Cowbirds may sometimes seem cruel and mean, we have to remember they have been doing this for many years and it’s their natural way of laying eggs.
Also, some birds aren’t as affected by them as others. For example, earlier this year we had a Summer Tanager nest and a Cowbird laid an egg in it. The Cowbird was about the same size as the Tanagers so it didn’t get more food. In fact, it was the last one to fledge.
They have always been doing this. Its how they were created.