Expert: Roger Lederer - 5/15/2010

Question
Dr. Lederer,

We recently celebrated our first cardinal nest & brood (less than a month ago), but were saddened when the nest was disrupted by a cowbird. The solitary cardinal hatchling disappeared shortly thereafter, most likely from a predator.

The cardinal couple returned for a short time, as they remembered the seed trays we'd left them, and we've attracted a new male. My concerns, now:

- Is the nest rendered useless? I've read that if it holds the scent of a predator, it will remain abandoned. Should we remove it?

- I've not seen the original couple since. Is there a way to 're-attract' them? I'm concerned my protectiveness of the nest may have scared them away.

- Is there anything (short of an air gun) I can do to limit the cowbirds in our area? (I've read certain feed attracts them.)

Thank you in advance for your time and assistance,
-Steve D/Houston

Answer
The nest is not useless, but whether the Cardinal pair will use it again is unknown. Cardinals, as most birds, do not have a good sense of smell and "the scent of a predator" will have no effect. Similarly, a human's touching the eggs, nests, or young will not deter the birds - unless one becomes a nuisance and does it too many times.
I don't know what you did to protect the nest, but if you were there often, you could have scared the birds away. You already have an attractive situation for them since they built a nest there. Best thing to do is just stay away and see if the birds come back.
Cowbirds will eat almost anything so there is not much you can do (an airgun or any other form of harassment or harm is illegal), except to provide ONLY sunflower seeds that the Cardinals can eat but not the cowbirds. Of course, you'll eliminate other birds as well.
Hope that's helpful.