Today’s post is a rerun, originally published just over ten years ago. A combination of factors, including overcast weather, seemingly endless medical appointments, x-rays, CT scans, MRI’s, and preparing for an upcoming visit from my daughter Shannon, have kept me out of the field for about two weeks.
A recent image request from Siskiyou Audubon Society in Grants Pass Oregon asking me to use one of these warbler/cowbird photos in their newsletter reminded me how much I like the behavior in these photos, even though I’d completely forgotten about them.
It’s been so long, I think they deserve to be seen again. Besides, many current blog followers have never seen them.
The Brown-headed Cowbird is North America’s best known brood parasite. The female cowbird lays her eggs in the nests of many different species and those eggs and resulting young are cared for by the host birds, often at the expense of their own offspring. That parasitic relationship was demonstrated for me yesterday morning in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
On a visit to Cascade Springs I photographed this fledgling cowbird as it waited patiently for food to be delivered by its “adoptive parent”, which in this case turned out to be a female Orange-crowned Warbler.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
The youngster’s patience disappeared quickly when it spotted the adult female warbler flying in with food and it began to beg aggressively as she…
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
approached with food.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
The meal, one of the whitest worms or insect larvae I’ve seen, was…
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
enthusiastically accepted and gobbled down.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I include this image for two reasons: It shows the massive size difference between parasite and host and it allows a look at some of the other field marks of the warbler.
Because of their parasitic ways, cowbirds are disliked by many but I just don’t feel that way. Parasitism is a natural relationship and I just see it as part of nature, neither good nor bad. It just is. True, because of the massive habitat alteration caused by humans, cowbirds are parasitizing species in habitats that are historically new and that’s putting stress on some host species that aren’t yet equipped to deal with it.
But I don’t hold that against cowbirds. Others feel differently, I know.
Ron
I REALLY ENJOYED THIS SERIS OF PICS AND WOW MOMMA IS TINY NEXT TO THE BABY. SHE’S GOING TO WORK SO HARD TO
SATISFY ALL OF THEM.
THANKS! So good – and super commentary to go with great filming!
Well, if it’s a relationship that just has to be, I’m glad Mama doesn’t get swallowed up by “her baby” … that size difference is quite remarkable. The photos are really beautiful, and I’m happy to see that little glint of orange on her crown, which is so often imperceptible I have to really work at the ID on my backyard visitors.
Sorry to hear the battle continues with your back, but great news that Shannon will be keeping her old dad company for awhile (something to be so very thankful for this holiday season!). Enjoy your time together, Ron. ❤️
“I have to really work at the ID on my backyard visitors.”
So do I, Chris. Although I never see this species in my yard. But I sometimes struggle with ID’ing them in the field.
You’d got that “old” dad part right, that’s for sure.
This is a very interesting post which I had not seen – thanks for reposting, Ron. I love the photos of the mom leaning in with the worm – it really shows off the amazing size difference. I really have to appreciate her instinct and ability to keep that baby fed.
Thanks very much, Bill.
What a great series of photos, Ron.
When science says the cowbirds are “obligate brood parasites” then I figure that I can’t really fault them for their behavior, any more than I can fault our cat for being an obligate meat-eater.
Though I would rather see the warbler mom expending all her energy on a warbler chick.
“Though I would rather see the warbler mom expending all her energy on a warbler chick.”
So would I, Nina. But it isn’t to be.
I remember these shots from your earlier post, Ron. Parasitism is part of Nature. Even accepting this fact, I still feel bad for the warbler mama having to work as hard as she did without that work doing anything to preserve her own — or her species’ — genetics. At least fledgling cowbirds are cuter than many other parasites (talking to YOU, fleas from my last bottle baby puppies🤬).
I’m so sorry you’re on the medical hamster wheel right now. Really happy to read that Shannon’s coming to visit! Please give her our best! 💜💜💜
“At least fledgling cowbirds are cuter than many other parasites.”
Interesting, and true, observation Marty! Made me smile.
Fascinating. And I agree with you about parasitism. I wonder what it was in the environment that led the cowbirds to adopt this method of child-rearing. It’s a comfort, really, to know that other species besides our own engage in destructive behavior of this sort – the sneaky use of others to bail us out of our incompetence. An idea that is offensive, though not false for all that.
“I wonder what it was in the environment that led the cowbirds to adopt this method of child-rearing.”
Sallie, it’s my understanding that cowbirds historically adapted to following the vast bison herds in their migrations because one of their primary food sources was eating the insects stirred up by the bison. That wandering lifestyle wasn’t conducive for staying in one place for the long breeding season. Being brood parasites solved that problem.
Thanks, Ron. Very interesting!
Great documentation of a natural activity that we humans find hard to accept because we perceive it as not “fair.” We should talk…
Hope all your medical issues are quickly and happily resolved.
” We should talk.”
Good point, Burrdoo.
Yep, new photos to me. Interesting stuff.
Knew about this behavior, but your photos had me wondering for the first time; does not the parasite imprint on the host? A quick Google resulted in the answer; the “chatter hypothesis”. Apparently there is a limitation on this, as cowbirds in captivity will imprint on other species.
Sorry to hear of your health related challenges. Hope you get some relief. Happy to hear you will have some time with your daughter. Now that is good medicine.
“Now that is good medicine.”
The best kind, Michael. I believe it’s going on two years since I’ve seen her.
Fascinating start to my day as I sip coffee and watch Sun light up the garden. Appreciate your insights and photos. I share and understand your wandering in the medical labyrinth.
Thanks, David. Medical labyrinth indeed.
Enjoy your visit with Shannon. Loved the pictures, the Cowbird is really big compared to the host mother. Makes me tired for her.
Thanks, Laurie. I’m sure I will.
These photos are striking– I’m imagining that the parasitized parent
( say THAT 3X quickly ) must have to scrounge very hard in order to
feed the little monster plus her own biological offspring– THAT’S
the part that makes me mad about the arrangement ! I’m happy to hear you say that you’re expecting your daughter Shannon soon–
you certainly deserve that treat, with all your frustration of the last
weeks…
“in order to feed the little monster plus her own biological offspring”
If there’s any biological offspring left, Kris and that’s a big “if”. Often some or all the host’s true offspring don’t survive.
Great series, Ron. I always grimace at that particular phenomena even while realizing it’s part of the sceme of things…… 😉
Hope the health issues go well for you.
Thanks, on both counts Judy.
I was curious as to why you used the 7D Mark II instead of the R5. I have both cameras, and would love your insight. Did the 7D work better for the shooting conditions?
Thank you,
Rene’
Rene’, these photos are ten years old. I didn’t have an R5 back then. No one did.
I’m glad you reposted this. I’ve read about this sort of parasitism, but I’ve never seen such wonderful photos of the behavior. As you say, it’s part of nature, too.
Thank you, Shoreacres. I’ve seen this behavior a few times, involving other host species, but these are the best photos I’ve taken documenting it.
I remember these Ron. Excellent photos and great educational info. I have photos of one of the “giant” juvenile Cowbirds in a nest with
his substitute Warbler mom. I never heard of this practice till I was
maybe 3 or 4 years into birding.
Thanks, Everett. Wow, you’re up and at ’em early today!