Page 30 - Killdeer

A lot of people really hate cowbirds.
I can understand why. Cowbirds
are obligate brood parasites which
means that they never build their
own nest. Instead, they lay their
eggs in the nests of host species, and
let those parents raise their chicks.
Cowbirds have been known to lay
their eggs in the nests of some 247
different species of birds!
If you can imagine a small warbler
trying to keep a huge cowbird chick
fed and happy. If the host parent
rejects the Cowbirds egg, The Cow-
bird will return to destroy the nest
along with remaining eggs. A real
strong arm when it comes to getting
what they want but because of this
strategy, they produce much more
off spring than other bird.

Bronzed Cowbird

Page 30
CONTENTS