TROPIC and NEAR-TROPIC BIRD COLLECTION

Cowbird Nest Parasitism The Odd Couple A Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina, Order PASSERIFORMES - Family EMBERIZIDAE) shares it's nest with a huge Cowbird chick (Molothrus ater, Order PASSERIFORMES - Family ICTERIDAE). The Cowbird chick is larger than the adult Chipping Sparrows! While the life history of Cowbirds is incredibly interesting, I had to fight the urge to feed the Cowbird to my snakes. This photo was taken near Boyd Hall on Miami University's campus. Photo: July 4, 2004. Canon Mark II with a EF 400mm f/5.6 USM, Better Beamer Flash Extender, shutter speed 1/250 s, F 6.4.

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Photos Copyright R. Hays Cummins. Authorization required. For permission, contact bigbendwildlands@gmail.com

Sources of species identification and other amazing info include (1) Cornell Lab of Ornithology--a fantastic site; (2)Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Peterson Field Guide Series, Fifth Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company; (3) The National Audubon Society's Sibley Guide to Birds and (4) Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Third Edition, National Geographic, Washington, D.C.