I don't share your affection for cowbirds. Last year we found that a Hooded Oriole pair nesting on our patio eaves raised a huge Bronzed Cowbird. Fortunately the two oriole babies managed to survive and fledge but we watched the parents feed that begging cowbird for some weeks after.
I'm kinda hoping our Hooded Oriole pair shows up feeding a cowbird...I suppose my affection stems from their reproductive strategy, its evolution and the idea that "nature will find a way." Fascinating stuff.
Everything in Nature has its place...but some things are way down on my list of favorites. Humans and intelligence were a nice try, but maybe it's time to move on...mosquitoes could help with that...
I don't share your affection for cowbirds. Last year we found that a Hooded Oriole pair nesting on our patio eaves raised a huge Bronzed Cowbird. Fortunately the two oriole babies managed to survive and fledge but we watched the parents feed that begging cowbird for some weeks after.
I'm kinda hoping our Hooded Oriole pair shows up feeding a cowbird...I suppose my affection stems from their reproductive strategy, its evolution and the idea that "nature will find a way." Fascinating stuff.
I'd have been more tolerant if had been a cuckoo but our cuckoos are not nest parasites.
That European Cuckoo is pretty cool...
You are right. I’d forgotten what my favorite psychiatrist-neurologist-philosopher-metaphysician, Iain McGilchrist, teaches: context is everything.
Fascinating stuff Ken! Amazing how it functions and everything seems to have a place.
Indeed! More extraordinary cowbirds coming up!
Ken,
A big hearted birder you are.
How are you on, say, mosquitoes?
Or even more challenging, humans?
John
Everything in Nature has its place...but some things are way down on my list of favorites. Humans and intelligence were a nice try, but maybe it's time to move on...mosquitoes could help with that...
Or rather, context can change everything.
Great article, Ken. A refreshing take on cowbirds. Thanks!
Thanks Mary! There's more to come (more cowbird!)--really interesting science about cowbirds and their relationships to other birds!