Northern Cardinal Nest Webcam

The nest still has 2 eggs in it one is the Northern Cardinals the other is a Cowbird egg. I've never heard of one before, but it's like the Cukoo it lays its eggs in others nests, but some birds can tell, and take action to get rid of the egg or stop it hatching. This is a link for Cowbirds
http://www.wbu.com/chipperwoods/photos/cowbird.htm

A couple of Photos of Jaffa on the eggs, and the eggs on their own you can see the difference in size




WS

Some more info on Cowbirds
Host's reaction to egg: Some hosts (e.g., Prothonotary Warblers) may desert the nest, or reject it by laying down more nesting material on top of the cowbird egg (burying it), or removing (ejecting) it from the nest. Ed Mashburn of PA reported bluebirds abandoning a nest when a cowbird egg appeared (apparently replacing the third bluebird egg laid), and rebuilding in another box nearby (and successfully raising a brood.) I had a Black-capped Chickadee desert when the sixth egg was replaced. Others will incubate the egg and rear the nestling as one of their own. Species vary in their reaction to cowbird egg deposition. Robins, Gray Catbirds, Blue Jays, Cedar Waxwings, Northern Orioles and Brown Thrashers tend to recognize and reject cowbird eggs (>88% of time [BNA]). Phoebes tend to accept the eggs. It seems possible that cavity-nesters would be less likely to recognize and reject cowbird eggs because they see them less often, they nest in dark locations, and some (like Tree Swallows and bluebirds) do not have large bills that would make egg removal easier. Cowbird eggs laid in House Finch nests often "disappear" or the chicks die due to the diet (all vegetable matter) fed by foster parents.

Incubation: A cowbird typically hatches at least one day ahead of the young of its adopted siblings, usually in 9-10 or up to 14 days (typically 10-12?) after incubation starts. When cowbird eggs are larger than the hosts' eggs, they may affect hatching of host eggs - e.g., 31% of Carolina Wren eggs in a parasitized nest failed to hatch, compared to 9% in non-parasitized nests (Birds of North America online.)

WS

Well it wil be interesting to see what happens WS. Initially they were talking about a cowbird egg on site and thats what made me wonder if the chick that disapeared was from the cowbird egg, then it appeared to not be the case and the chick didnt survive and Jaffa removed it, so it will be interesting to see if she tries to raise this one or get rid of it, lets hope it doesnt affect the hatching of her own egg. Thanks for the info WS and the pictures.

littlewid-x-

The male cardinal visits the nest for just a few seconds


WS

Interesting info thanks WS - can't wait to see what happens, and let's hope it's good news for Jaffa.

Lai

I thought one of the remaining eggs looked bigger than the other. Now I know its because one is a cowbird egg.

The male cardinal is a beautiful colour, thanks for posting the video clip WS and letting us see.

Any idea how long we have to wait now?

SM

Isn't he just the most gorgeous colour, so handsome. Thanks for posting that WS.

SM the egg was two days overdue on Sunday so it should be soon......obviously dont know about the cowegg as not sure what egg it is.

littlewid-x-

Apparently the Cowbird lays the egg timed to hatch about the day before the host nests eggs hatches
WS

The eggs are still there but no sign of Mum, some people are speculating the she knows there is something wrong with the eggs, and one person has reported seeing ants, and flies on the eggs. It's strange that one egg should hatch, and nothing has happened to the others.
WS

Sad news it does'nt look as though the eggs are going to hatch it's normaly 13Days to incubation, and its 16 now. The mother has only been seen for a short time, but she does'nt seem to be sitting on the nest anymore
WS

I wonder is that why this camera is off air.
Carson

Because of the time difference you dont see it here in the daytime Carson. I think anytime from about 8. 00pm we can get it
Here is the latest update, and a Photo from tonight


WS

Just caught up with the latest news on Jaffa and her remaining one egg and cowegg, looks like Jaffa has given up on the nest. its such a shame, its all rather
reminiscant of little Phoebe.

Here is what has been posted on the site today and the cam is down.



littlewid-x-

I thought that might happen LW it is rather sad I just checked myself before reading your post
WS

sad news it would have been a great cam to keep watching.

Lai

It sure would Lai but as we have said before, tats life in the animal kingdom, sadly it doesn't always work out does it. I wished it had been different, Jaffa was such a lovely bird and it would have been great to see her chicks, it is so sad the first one didn't survive.

littlewid-x-