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ctlady_gw

Cowbird egg in phoebe nest

ctlady_gw
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago

So I know both arguments (take it out, leave it in) but can't tell what is the "right" advice. Phoebes have completed their nest and there has been a cowbird eyeing it for some time. This morning, there was a single cowbird egg in it. What should I do? The nest is over our front door, on the lintel. I know the pros and cons to both leaving the egg (competition for food as clutch hatches) and removing it (retaliation from the cowbird) but can't really discern which advice is best. Help!! I love the phoebes... Plus I THINK it is actually not even legal to remove it, is that correct? In which case, what can I do to help the phoebes weather this successfully?

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