I've got eastern phoebes nesting in my wood shed- which I think is great because phoebes are in the flycatcher family and I could certainly use their services in my yard! Well, I couldn't help myself the other day and I stole a peek into the nest while the mama was gone- I saw 5 phoebe eggs and 1 brown-headed cowbird egg.
Now I know the brown-headed cowbird is a frequent brood parasite of the eastern phoebe, and if the cowbird's egg is removed from the nest, half of the time the cowbird will come back and destroy the nest. The phoebe mama doesn't seem to mind this intrusion so far. What I couldn't find out was: once they are all hatched, will the cowbird chick kill the phoebe chicks (push them out of the nest)?
I KNOW I shouldn't interfere with nature, but I want those phoebes to live! If the cowbird chick is going to kill them no matter what, I figure a 50% chance of survival is better than no chance at all.
Does anybody know about this topic? Will the cowbird kill the phoebes?
Thanks
Now I know the brown-headed cowbird is a frequent brood parasite of the eastern phoebe, and if the cowbird's egg is removed from the nest, half of the time the cowbird will come back and destroy the nest. The phoebe mama doesn't seem to mind this intrusion so far. What I couldn't find out was: once they are all hatched, will the cowbird chick kill the phoebe chicks (push them out of the nest)?
I KNOW I shouldn't interfere with nature, but I want those phoebes to live! If the cowbird chick is going to kill them no matter what, I figure a 50% chance of survival is better than no chance at all.
Does anybody know about this topic? Will the cowbird kill the phoebes?
Thanks
