#bhco — Public Fediverse posts

In the grassy meadow area surrounding the lighthouse were several female Brown-headed Cowbirds. They were very approachable, like within six feet or less. They were catching and eating small bees and wasps in the meadow. Cowbirds are obligate brood parasites. In other words, they lay their eggs in the nests of other small birds. I've seen this here in our own yard with Dark-eyed Junco nests. #birding #birds #birdsofmastodon #BHCO #cowbird #nature #naturephotography #birdphotography

Brood Parasitism in action, this evening:
A juvenile #BrownHeadedCowbird begs food from an adult #ChippingSparrow likely a third of its size. Brown-headed Cowbirds are obligate breed parasites; that is, their young only develop in the nests of other birds. Chances are this one grew up in the sparrow's nest from which it either out-competed or displaced the sparrow's own young. Once it fledged, the sparrow remains convinced the cowbird is its own young and continues to feed it.
#Birds #BHCO #CHSP