Birding/bird eggs

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Expert: - 5/20/2009


Question

sparrow bird nest
I have a sparrow who has built a nest in my hanging fern on the front porch. In the last week she has laid six eggs. Five of the eggs are solid white and one is beige with dk brown specks. It was the third one in the nest. It seems to be getting a tiny bit bigger than the white ones. Is this normal or has another bird put one in the nest and if so,what should I do. I took this photo before all were laid,but it shows the difference in the appearence of the eggs.

Answer
It appears that a Brown-headed Cowbird, a nest parasite, has laid an enng in the sparrow nest. If the nest is other than a House Sparrow, remove and destroy it. If it is a House Sparrow, leave it be as they are just as much of a pest as the Brown-headed Cowbird.
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentTHANK YOU FOR A STRIGHT ANSWER!! I AM CLUELESS ON BIRDS,BUT HAS BEEN INTRESTING TO WATCH. I THINK I WILL REMOVE THE "COWBIRD" EGG SINCE I THINK THEY ARE A BIGGER BIRD.


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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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