I'm no bird expert, but from what I've seen personally on my property, this look like a cowbird chick, another parasitic species. The picture is a little blurry but I've looked at cuckoo juveniles online and they are more spotted in appearance. I've seen song sparrows feeding two cowbird chicks in the last two weeks. What's less common is the fact that they're siblings. On average cowbirds lay one egg per nest and sometimes multiple cowbirds parasitize one nest.
Think of it like Childcare. Poor old Cuckoo needs to care for itself, and so, dumps the child on someone else. Just like Childcare... without the monetary benefits.
@Queen0fNosgoth But only because humans are not considered part of nature, which is a definition that, although sometimes useful, should not be misused to imply moral implications.
It seems wrong that the Cuckoo's get to escape parenthood and lay it on some other unsuspecting birds, but I can't bring myself to hate the Cuckoo babies for it, even if they are massive while the little parent bird scrambles to bring it more food.
Atleast this Finch is probably in for an easier time this year if its only got her own babies to look after.
I'm no bird expert, but from what I've seen personally on my property, this look like a cowbird chick, another parasitic species. The picture is a little blurry but I've looked at cuckoo juveniles online and they are more spotted in appearance. I've seen song sparrows feeding two cowbird chicks in the last two weeks. What's less common is the fact that they're siblings. On average cowbirds lay one egg per nest and sometimes multiple cowbirds parasitize one nest.
TeamCavalier 2 years ago
Its against nature but i would destroy any cuckoo egg i found in another birds nest. Theyre so lazy
eastyg 3 years ago
Think of it like Childcare. Poor old Cuckoo needs to care for itself, and so, dumps the child on someone else. Just like Childcare... without the monetary benefits.
Forzin 3 years ago
They're not "lazy" Over time, cuckoos have lost the instinct to take care of chicks. They simply don't know how.
Instead, the maternal instinct has been replaced by that of a nest parasite. That's HOW it raises its young. By being a right bastard. lol
You wouldn't be letting the species reproduce.
hippocampuszosterae 3 years ago
It's not against nature it IS nature. You removing a cuckoo egg from another bird's nest would be against nature.
Queen0fNosgoth 2 years ago
@Queen0fNosgoth But only because humans are not considered part of nature, which is a definition that, although sometimes useful, should not be misused to imply moral implications.
john42t 8 months ago
Heh, nice dramatic music to overlay the video.
It seems wrong that the Cuckoo's get to escape parenthood and lay it on some other unsuspecting birds, but I can't bring myself to hate the Cuckoo babies for it, even if they are massive while the little parent bird scrambles to bring it more food.
Atleast this Finch is probably in for an easier time this year if its only got her own babies to look after.
Flameswordsman86 3 years ago
Amazing!
qazqaz35 4 years ago