[mou] Inter-Species Feeding

[Curt Rawn]

Larry,
I have had a Chipping Sparrow and a Cowbird at my feeder too. I had read of 
this from other sources and was also confused by the size and look of the 
chick when I finally saw one.
A year earlier, before I learned of MOUMN.ORG, I had a similar experience at 
my suet feeder.  An adult Downy had been feeding on the feeder when a Downy 
chick flew up and perched on the wall near it.  The adult stuffed some suet 
into the chick's open mouth and flew off leaving the chick on the wall. 
Moments later a Black-capped Chickadee landed on the feeder; when the Downy 
chick  fluttered its wings the Chickadee also stuffed some suet into the 
Downy's mouth.
That parenting instinct seems pretty  strong.
Curt Rawn
Plymouth, MN
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry Sirvio" <lmsirvio at comcast.net>
To: "MOU" <mou-net at moumn.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 12:30 AM
Subject: [mou] omygosh a cowbird :(


> Wow - another new visitor to the yard -
> Never had one before - I should have been able to figure this one out from 
> the behavior.
> Another one of those lessons I won't soon forget.   Thanks to those who 
> responded.
>
> Larry Sirvio
> Cottage Grove
>