Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

FEED ME!

Brown-headed Cowbirds sure do like Chipping Sparrows for hosts in Green-Wood. The only other species I’ve seen parasitized in the cemetery have been Song Sparrows.

mthew

One response to “FEED ME!”

  1. Chuck McAlexander

    Presumaby, in the nest the size advantage the cowbird has over the Chipping Sparrow nestlings guarantees a relatively easy victory when the cowbird chick reaches a size to need all the room and all the food. Female cowbirds raised by Chipping Sparrows might deposit eggs in Chippie nests preferentually, so the scales are tipped.

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