Poor little Yellow-Warbler

[angieinto]

Yesterday morning we went down to Humber Bay East. While Rob was getting the parking ticket for the truck I walked over to the area where the washrooms are to look at the flower gardens. While I was waiting for him I watched a Yellow-Warbler feed a young Brown-headed Cowbird. It looked so funny, but sad too, to see this tiny bird feeding this other bird three times it's size.

When the Yellow Warbler flew away, I saw that it also 2 more young Cowbirds to feed, as 3 young ones followed the little yellow bird crying for food.  

[Howieh]

Now that's funny - if you're not the warbler! Until last year my cardinals always brought a baby cowbird to the feeder but this year it's a different pair and they are actually raising a pair of young cardinals! Anyway, a few days ago there was a flock of sparrows being 'harassed' by a young cowbird looking to be fed. He (she?) went begging to all the sparrows but they wanted nothing to do with the intruder. They finally took off with the cowbird in hot pursuit! I could have shot some great video but, unfortunately, the long zoom P&S camera is in for repairs. Since you didn't mention it I assume you don't have pictures of the warbler feeding the cowbird.

[angieinto]

No, no pics, Rob's the photographer and he had the camera with him.

[feathered]

I saw a Song Sparrow feeding a Cowbird a couple of weeks ago before work. I'm surprised the warbler hadn't outsmarted it - usually they'll just build a new nest atop the old one when Cowbirds lay in them.