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Birding/House Finch nest with Cowbird egg

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Expert: - 5/31/2008


Question
I have a finch nest in a hanging basket with 2 fince eggs, and I believe 1 cowbird egg.  Since the cowbird egg is also protected by law, I can not disturb it.  When they hatch, i hear that the cowbird will take over, get most of the food and the other hatchling could die.  What do you suggest?  Can i help the parents to feed the finches when they hatch, like select supplemental feedings?  If so, what do you suggest I feed them?

Answer
You are correct that all eggs, nests, and birds are protected by law. I suggest you contact your local wildlife official for advice and maybe permission to remove the cowbird egg. If it is a cowbird egg and it hatches, there is nothing you can do to help feed the young finches  as 1) it is too difficult to feed them the right food and 2)you'll scare the parents away and they will abandon the nest.

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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