Yes, I see cowbirds all the time but I'd rather see less of those parasitic punks.
I try to ignore them while searching for more interesting migrating birds that
visit for too brief an interval. Right now, RWBB are running the show since their
numbers seem to rival the ubiquitous Am. Robin. Recently at Ashbridges they dive bombed
me when I selected a path that came too close to their nesting site. I wear a hoodie
to protect my head. I've had males fly right up to me and land on a perch within
a foot of my face only to stare at me. I've been known to utter obscenities or
quip bar room greetings. Clearly, they are being confrontational. Sometimes they
call in my ear until they realize I'm ignoring them and then they just perch there,
an unveiled ultimatum, hoping that I will flinch. Present and comfortably seated
to await a returning Brown Thrasher there is little doubt who will quit the scene
first. I do give the blackbirds credit for eventually realizing that I am no threat
and most amazing of all is that they then ignore me when I return. They learn
better than some people I've endured.
