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with Phyllis Yochem
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Tuesday, July 18, 2000
A nesting cardinal plays host, mom to another species in local backyard
Removal of the cowbird eggs was necessary to ensure the survival of the cardinal chicks
As everyone knows location is everything when it comes to selecting a home. A pair of northern cardinals have found the perfect spot for their needs.
It is the patio and adjacent yard at Carol and Stanley Bryan's house. In fact, Mrs. Cardinal has placed her nest in a hanging basket directly outside the kitchen window where Carol can keep her company while the bird sits on those all important eggs. Her solicitous mate is often present to divert and entertain both ladies, and lessen the stress of performing important but necessary chores.
Carol was so pleased with the arrangement that she called me to share her good fortune. The Bryans live in a neighborhood with plenty of trees and shrubs, not far from West Guth Park. Their yard is a sanctuary for birds and other wildlife. In one shaded corner, Stanley has built a pond with an overhang rock from which water flows. Some of the biggest goldfish I have ever seen live in the pond.
When I arrived the little mother had just been startled from the nest by the dog, Ebony, who probably heard my car and wanted to join Carol in greeting me.
Because I hoped to be able to take a picture of the bird on the nest, we settled in chairs on the patio. The mother bird flew in once but decided there was too much company and left again. As we sat, a pair of golden-fronted woodpeckers came to get insects from the tallow trees. Mourning and Inca doves were around and under the well-filled feeders.
A dirty trick
Finally, I decided we should not disturb the mother further with our stakeout, but wanted to see whether the nest harbored eggs or chicks. Carol brought a stool and I climbed up to look in. The nest was full indeed. Besides 5 northern cardinal eggs, all splotched and speckled with large purple brown spots, there were three pale blueish, unmarked eggs.
Dirty work has been done. One of the worst dangers to survival of the cardinal species is brood parasitism, where the birds of one species do not build their own nest but lay eggs in nests of other species. Host birds then hatch and raise the foundlings with their own, unable to tell the difference. A pair of bronzed cowbirds were the villains.
This called for action. The offending eggs must be taken out so that the poor little cardinals would not work themselves to death and perhaps sacrifice some of their own nestlings to the more aggressive cowbirds.
A little help
"Not me!" said Carol, at first reluctant to tamper with the eggs. Soon she was convinced that a removal was necessary and agreed to bring a teaspoon and steady the stool. The removal was accomplished. The offending eggs were taken away in a paper cup for show and tell.
We went in the back door and, about three minutes later, mother cardinal returned to her nest, settling herself on her eggs to complete the 11 to 13 days of incubation. After that the real job would begin. Both parents would be kept busy stuffing 51 varieties of insects in five wide open red beaks. This would go on for about 11 more days before flying lessons started. Cardinals in this climate often raise two or three broods a summer.
We are glad their friends can give them a little help.
Phyllis Yochem, a Corpus Christi
resident, has studied birds of Texas since 1960.
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