Sounds like a house finch. The winter plumage of the Am. gold finch is more olive than browm with distinct black and white bars. Too, I currently have lots of gold finches and strangely enough, there is one already in full breeding plumage! Donna

Sure looks like a cowbird egg to me.

I don't know what got them, but the squirrels here have gone nuts. They act like they are starving to death. They chewed two holes in my deck box and it is thick. They try frantically to jump to my window feeders all day long. Chewed a hole in my screen. I finally had to take the feeders down. I really hate that. I had them there last year and the squirrels didn't bother them. I could watch hummers, woodpeckers and finch who sat 3 ft away. There are more birds this year also. I was wondering if the the winter weather is causing the squirrels to act like they are starving. I have fed birds and squirrels for years and never seen squirrels like this.

The only thing I can think of is to enclose it in chicken wire, I'm sure the finches could get through but not cats or squirrels or even Jays &Crows. I know not very pretty but you of all people could live with for a couple weeks! Wonder if Mom would accept it?