Weird nest

[Sam Harris]

I found this nest above a window that looked like an old barn swallow nest converted to a new nest. I think the bird nesting in it is an Eastern Phoebe. There is only one problem, Two of the eggs look different than the others. Four are white, and two are larger and spotted. I think this might be the work of a cowbird. What do yall think?

[deacdiddy]

Looks like a Cowbirds work...let your conscious be your guide on this one

[jeffwilliams72]

I say, save the Phoebe's, toss the cowbird eggs! I see hundreds of cowbirds every year, yet I am lucky to see a single Phoebe.

[jeffwilliams72]

After reading other posts on this topic, I would freeze them in the evening, then let them thaw, and return them in the morning. Just in case the cowbird returns to check on them. The cowbird may destroy the Phoebe eggs if they are gone.
I don't have much love for cowbird babies, ever since I found 3 dead Chipping Sparrow babies on the ground in full sun, after being ejected from the nest by 1 giant baby cowbird.
I wanted to eject it, but the poor Chippers had no idea it wasn't theirs.
They perched on its back to feed it. I think they named him Baby Huey!

[tonyg]

Jeff I think its safe to remove the cowbird eggs. They will lay their eggs and not return, relying on the other species of bird to hatch the eggs. Had the same thing happen to me with a pair of house finches this month. I removed them and finches hatched their own..

[Linda Reynolds]

It is pathetic to watch an unaware surrogate parent bird try to feed a HUGE and ever-hungry, baby. When we lived on Long Island, the poor little song sparrows were regular recipients of the cowbird's parasitic egg and youngster. Knowing that their own eggs and nestlings suffer is almost too much to swallow.....(not a pun).

I think other states should follow the lead started by Texas, and have open season on them...........They are useless!

[Sam Harris]

For some reason they disappeared. Now there is only four white eggs.

[dsonyay]

For some reason they disappeared. Now there is only four white eggs.

oooookay!
wonder how that happened..

[jeffwilliams72]

Sam, glad they disappeard on you!
TonyG, thanks for keeping songbird management a little easier for me, I have always tossed the eggs, but I thought before I came on here with an opinion I would dig a little deeper, others thought the cowbirds might destroy remaining eggs if theirs were missing. But really it makes sense they wouldn't do that, just by their nature of following herds. Maybe HOSP or other creatures are responsible for these events of destroyed eggs.