Since cowbirds are parasitic nesters it is quite possible, yet they love to lay their eggs in larger songbird's nests; like the Cardinals, finches, grosbeaks, etc. Definitely not a Cat Bird, who by the way will adopt any baby bird without parents and raise it as their own. Sadly I haven't seen any cat birds this winter.

So that's where my belted kingfisher went. I think they are so cool looking. Can hardly wait for spring to see them around here again.

I have checked out pictures and descriptions of so many birds, I'm about to give-up. The bird was far bigger than a Quail or Partridge. It was about 2/3 the height of med to large chicken, but probably half the weight. The closest picture I have found is of a female Lady Amherst's Pheasant, But she lackes the maroon coloring and her tail is far too long and the neck feathers seem too flashy/brilliant. I looked up Rachels suggestion and found it to be very close. The tail is right, but it's lacking the 2 inch long head/neck feathers. And the maroon/purple on it's (the grouse's) neck is far to bright and in the wrong place. Almost the entire undersides of this bird where rusty maroon/burgundy. It has crosed my mind that maybe it was dried blood and not the actual feather color. After reading my descriptions on this post, it sounds to me that I have a Greater Prairie Amherst's Chicken Grouse. Go Figure! The bird was not around last night - so, no pictures, sorry. Thanks, Lowel

Dear theresa, I agree this is not a wren whch has very tipped up tail and wings. I agree I think it is an immature sparrow, sizing up a place for a nest perhaps? Jacqui