Brown-headed Cowbird Egg In Bluebird Nest - Now What?

This video documents how we handled finding a Brown-headed Cowbird egg in our Gilbertson Bluebird House and what the final result ended up being. There are lots of different views on this topic, and I am not saying what we did is the only or best option. I am simply showing our specific experience, the approach we took to handling this situation, and what the end result ended up being.

[@bethaniepender9339]

We have this going on today. We will also leave it alone. See what happens. The blue bird made her nest in my fern.

[@humankazoo8068]

You may not realize this, but your birdhouse was immune to brood parasites. It was just large and deep enough that the cowbird couldn’t push the bluebird babies out of the nest, and thereby gave the bluebirds a fighting chance.

[@BKsWildlifeWorld]

Didn’t realize that. Thank you for sharing that with me. I will say this I LOVE these Gilbertson houses!! 👍

[@SOLtoo]

I think the Cuckoo does this but the Brownheaded Cowbird doesn't.

[@humankazoo8068]

@@SOLtoo well, that’s a relief then.

[@LunaBella2006]

Glad that bird couldn't push the other birds out because the nest was way too low.

[@Funktastico]

cowbird don't , but cuckoo does it.

[@shannonspage9360]

Try reducing the size of the entry hole to a size that the cowbird can’t fit through. Reducing the size would also keep the invasive species house sparrows from entering attacking and destroying the mother bird, chicks, and/or eggs.

[@tamiboner4753]

1.5 inch is the correct size for a bluebird box and if you go any smaller, the bluebird would not be able to get in.

[@babyvillagereview]

good

[@tamiboner4753]

Thank you for sharing the video. I would love to see your box that’s mounted on a pole have a good climbing predator guard like the 5’ x 8” duct pipe with cap. After having a heartbreaking loss I have my boxes on a pole with the large baffle to keep climbing predators away. Climbing predators like ants, snakes, raccoons cats, etc. cannot get up the large smooth baffle. You have to make sure to seal around the pole, and the cap really well to keep the ants out. I never knew that ants could harm the baby birds but they can and kill the babies.

[@magusofthebargain]

Cowbird eggs are very tasty. Next time try cooking the cowbird egg. My advice is to get some fake bluebird eggs and put them in the nest to get that cowbird to lay another egg.

[@gboutdoors5198]

I am pretty sure that is illegal to eat cowbird eggs

[@MrZeehasham]

Where did you buy this birdhouse?

[@BKsWildlifeWorld]

www.thebirdhousechick.com/products/gilbertson-nest-box

[@anthonyr5869]

I would NOT leave the cowbird egg in there AT ALL.

[@BKsWildlifeWorld]

I followed the law and choose not to interfere. When it was all said and done all eggs hatched and all babies fledged successfully. I know that not always the case, so perhaps I just got lucky… But either way I am glad I worked out for my bluebirds.

[@anthonyr5869]

@@BKsWildlifeWorld I just don’t like parasites

[@manda2759]

@@anthonyr5869 And exactly what was parasitic about it......The other babies got properly fed as well and he left when he was too big. Shut up and get a grip.

[@xaviervega468]

@@manda2759 Cowbirds are brood parasites.

[@user-yb9xp1bt9p]

巣の形状によりCowbirdの雛は他の卵を排除できなかったのが大きいと思う。たいてい最初に孵化したCowbirdの雛が他の卵や雛鳥を巣から容赦なく―時には親鳥が傍で見ている前で―排除している。其れは見ていて非常に気分が悪いものです。

[@anthonysherman2134]

If you remove the cowbird egg, there's a greater chance that the cowbird mother will return and destroy all of the eggs.

[@user-vb8fd2iu5b]

It’s too small for the cowbird mother to destroy the eggs

[@CT-mp2ld]

Immediate eviction!!!