Last time, I took a quick tour of the various sorts of nests birds build, again showing how many ways there are to be a bird. The brown-headed cowbird not only skips nest building, it doesn’t even ...

Brown-headed cowbirds are generalist brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of many other bird species and letting the host parents raise their young. A new study seeks to understand the ...

It’s that time of year here in our neck of Pennsylvania when it’s prime nesting season for our feathered friends. Case in point: Our home in Northbrook is now surrounded by nesting birds. These ...

Scientists are trying to better understand how some baby birds are given up for adoption. To be more precise, some birds give up their eggs, leaving them for others to raise. Scientists who study this ...

One of the most interesting topics discussed in my Ornithology class was about the “con artists” found in nature… Brood parasitism occurs when a female bird (the parasite) lays her eggs in the nest of ...

Every spring I get reports from astonished readers describing a small bird feeding a much larger, obviously begging chick. Can you explain this, readers ask. The answer is “brood parasitism.” ...

Some consider brown-headed cowbirds to be a threat. Setting up backyard bird feeders and birdbaths is an easy way to enjoy birdwatching in your yard while supporting local bird populations. However, ...