I had a 5 day old martin pecked and dumped out of the t-14. I assumed it was an unmated male sparrow that had staked out the t-14 as his territory. However, a male and female cowbird are frequently on the martin pole, and they are here again today. Is there any possibility that they attack young? I know they would lay eggs in other species nest, but not sure if they attack the young once they are hatched.
sharon
Will cowbirds hurt 9 day old martins?
-
Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
Hi Sharon.
I can only tell you that I have never had a problem with cowbirds. Someone else reported having a nestling cowbird in their PM housing in a nest with PM nestlings - but, they didn't say anything about the cowbirds harming their PM young. I would try to discourage them. Shoo 'em away. Is the Cowbird one of the unprotected native species in this country?
I think all they do is lay their egg in a nest full of eggs and then they go on about their lives; leaving their young for somebody else to raise.
Sorry, I can't be any more positive...
I can only tell you that I have never had a problem with cowbirds. Someone else reported having a nestling cowbird in their PM housing in a nest with PM nestlings - but, they didn't say anything about the cowbirds harming their PM young. I would try to discourage them. Shoo 'em away. Is the Cowbird one of the unprotected native species in this country?
I think all they do is lay their egg in a nest full of eggs and then they go on about their lives; leaving their young for somebody else to raise.
Sorry, I can't be any more positive...
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
-
Guest
Thanks for comments Laverne
Thats sort of what I think too....just being an over protective mother at this point.
sharon
Thats sort of what I think too....just being an over protective mother at this point.
sharon
IMO it a sparrow. Cow birds are the generation X of the bird world. Hee! Hee! Having fun without the responsiblity! I don't think they are killers though and besides IMO they would have no interest in a nest full of babies. Wasn't you trying to get rid of a Male sparrow a week or two ago?
-
Guest
From what I know of cowbird biology, they are unlikely to be the source of your problem; odds are that it is the HOSP which evicted your baby martin.
Cowbirds are nest parasites - the female dumps her eggs into the nests of other birds and abandons them for the owner of the nest to raise. They primarily parasitize the nests of birds like cardinals, thrushes and wood warblers, those species that build open nests in the edges of woodlots. They don't want to take possession of a cavity or nest used by bluebirds, purple martins, woodpeckers, chickadees, etc. The cowbirds would have no reason to attack your PM, since they don't want their housing.
Cowbirds, for all their nasty habits, ARE native North American birds, and therefore are technically protected by the Migratory Bird Act, the same as purple martins, bluebirds, cardinals and warblers. However, I know that some wildlife biologists, in an effort to save certain endangered warbler species, do advocate removing cowbird eggs and young when they are found in the nests of more valued species. To do this, one must be ABSOLUTELY certain of being able to identify both the cowbird egg/chick and the resident ones.
Cowbirds are nest parasites - the female dumps her eggs into the nests of other birds and abandons them for the owner of the nest to raise. They primarily parasitize the nests of birds like cardinals, thrushes and wood warblers, those species that build open nests in the edges of woodlots. They don't want to take possession of a cavity or nest used by bluebirds, purple martins, woodpeckers, chickadees, etc. The cowbirds would have no reason to attack your PM, since they don't want their housing.
Cowbirds, for all their nasty habits, ARE native North American birds, and therefore are technically protected by the Migratory Bird Act, the same as purple martins, bluebirds, cardinals and warblers. However, I know that some wildlife biologists, in an effort to save certain endangered warbler species, do advocate removing cowbird eggs and young when they are found in the nests of more valued species. To do this, one must be ABSOLUTELY certain of being able to identify both the cowbird egg/chick and the resident ones.
-
Guest
Thanks for responses.
Yes...I did have a male sparrow a few days back when my baby martin was found on the ground dead with two "holes" in his hide. he is now gone. I was wondering about the cow bird because the female was looking in t-14 compartments. but only briefly. so just checking to see if anyone thought she was a threat to the babies.
thanks again
sharon
Yes...I did have a male sparrow a few days back when my baby martin was found on the ground dead with two "holes" in his hide. he is now gone. I was wondering about the cow bird because the female was looking in t-14 compartments. but only briefly. so just checking to see if anyone thought she was a threat to the babies.
thanks again
sharon