Thanks Casey - You have certainly convinced me!  Also, I checked the
photos of cowbird eggs on the web the one I have is at least consistent
with the cowbird ID.  But alas, the chickster did not make it through
the night.  But I will know what to do next time, and I certainly
learned a lot!  Thanks for your very prompt response to my call for
help.
Cheers, AMH

>>> "TUCKER, Casey" <[log in to unmask]> 8/21/2005 11:12 PM >>>
A species' ability to deal with Brown-headed Cowbirds depends on the
habitat they're in, and whether they've co-evolved with cowbirds or not.
 Cowbirds are more grassland/shrub habitat species and so other species
in those habitats have evolved ways of identifying and dealing with
cowbird nest parasitism.  I think Common Yellowthroats are a species
that has been mentioned as being capable of recognizing and dealing with
cowbird parasitism.  However, cowbirds are also capable of exploiting
edge habitats.  As development has occurred resulting in greater forest
habitat fragmentation, which results in increased amounts of edge
habitat, Cowbirds have been able to exploit areas where they previously
have not had access to.  Additionally it means that forest interior
species that have not previously been exposed to cowbird parasitism in
great amounts are now more often exposed to them.  These forest interior
species (wood thrushes, tanagers, wood warblers, etc.) are the species
we think of most often when we hear about the perils of nest parasitism
by cowbirds.  Kirtland's Warblers are the poster child of forest species
that have experienced major population declines partly due to habitat
fragmentation and cowbird nest parasitism.  Forest fragmentation has
occurred so rapidly that many forest interior species have not been able
to adapt to the increased parasitism.
 
So, depending on what habitat you live in or near may help determine
whether your local species are capable of dealing with cowbirds or not.
 
Of course I'm not 100% certain that you've got a cowbird, though it did
seem like one from the photos.
 
Good luck!
 
Casey
 
 

	-----Original Message----- 
	From: MU Ornithology Listserv (ZOO 408) on behalf of Debra
Bowles 
	Sent: Sun 8/21/2005 10:22 PM 
	To: [log in to unmask] 
	Cc: 
	Subject: Re: help...
	
	

	Anne, why the rehaber you're working with fails to acknowledge
parental
	birds' abilities to identify parisitic-species' eggs is a
mystery to me. It
	is a documented fact that some birds recognize and remove
intruders' eggs.
	Some don't pay any attention to them or at least don't seem to
recognize
	them at all and some, as Casey suggested, will build nests right
over the
	top of them.
	
	I wonder... if it also varies from bird to bird like, as in
humans: "We all
	have our own ways?"
	
	House Wrens will sometimes puncture and/or remove eggs from
other birds'
	nests.
	
	Anyway, good luck, and if this tiniest of creatures pulls
through thanks to
	your care and concern, consider joining our ranks!
	
	Debra Bowles
	Rehabilitating native birds via
	Second Chance Wildlife: 513 875 3433
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	-----Original Message-----
	From: MU Ornithology Listserv (ZOO 408)
	[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Anne HOOKE
	Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2005 9:40 PM
	To: [log in to unmask] 
	Subject: Re: help...
	
	
	Casey, the bird is still alive (mirabile dictu!) and the guy at
Second
	Chance has given me feeding instructions if it survives until
	tomorrow...  It is in a home-made incubator right now.  BTW, the
guy at
	Second Chance disputes the hypothesis that the nest "owner"
recognized
	the alien as an intruder...  But there is absolutely no nest
nearby that
	I can spot to account for a fall...  Does anyone want to weigh
in on
	this?
	Cheers, AMH
	
	
	>>> "TUCKER, Casey" <[log in to unmask]> 8/21/2005 11:52:04 AM
>>>
	Anne,
	
	Contact a local rehabilitator as quickly as possible.  You can
find a
	list of local rehabilitators at the following web-site.
	
	http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Resources/orphans/rehabilitators_04.htm

	
	
	In the meantime keep the bird in a warm protected spot (a bowl
lined
	with guaze, like that pictured, would work well).
	
	There is a chance this is a cowbird egg/chick (based on the
photo) that
	has been evicted by a host species that is capable of
differentiating
	between a cowbird and its own eggs.  Some species are capable
of
	recognizing when a cowbird has laid an egg in their nest, and
will take
	steps to counter the cowbird.  They may achieve this by removing
the egg
	entirely and drop it elsewhere.  Other species may just build
nest
	material over the parasite's egg and smother it.
	
	Good luck!
	
	Casey
	
	        -----Original Message-----
	        From: MU Ornithology Listserv (ZOO 408) on behalf of
Anne HOOKE
	
	        Sent: Sun 8/21/2005 11:42 AM
	        To: [log in to unmask] 
	        Cc:
	        Subject: help...
	
	
	
	
	        Here is a photo of the bird trying to get out of the
egg...I
	doubt that
	        knowing what kind of bird it is will help with the
advice on
	what to
	        do...but I thought it was worth a shot...
	        Cheers, AMH
	
	        Anne Morris Hooke, PhD
	
	        Professor and Chair
	        Department of Microbiology
	        Miami University
	        Oxford, OH  45056
	
	        [log in to unmask] 
	         513-529-5422
	         513-529-2431 (fax)
	
	        I INVITE YOU TO VISIT THE MICROBIOLOGY DEPARTMENT HOME
PAGE:
	               http://www.cas.muohio.edu/micro/ 
	        UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING:
	        http://www.cas.muohio.edu/micro/undergrad/advising.html

	        CAREER OPTIONS AND LINKS:
	        http://www.cas.muohio.edu/micro/undergrad/Career.html 
	        GRADUATE ADMISSIONS information is also at:
	               http://www.cas.muohio.edu/micro/