April 20, 2007

The Cardinal nest seemed off to a good start, with what looked to be the perfect pair. He brought food to her while she stayed on the nest throughout most of the day. Don't know how many eggs were in the nest to start with but I know there is one Cardinal egg less that there was. To my horror in the twilight before dark, the camera caught the female Cardinal leaving the nest a few times and on one occasion, within seconds of the departure, a female Cowbird arrived and proceeded to remove on egg. The Cardinal returned and continued the incubation process. Leaving again, for only a few minutes, the Cowbird returned again - looked around the nest, but then left without removing or depositing any eggs. The Cardinal returned and was still on the nest when it was too dark for the camera to see.

In the first Video the Male Cardinal brings food to the Female on the nest as incubation is underway

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Just before dark the female Cardinal leaves the nest and within seconds a female Cowbird arrives and removes one of the Cardinal Eggs

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After the Cowbird attack the female Cardinal returns and seems oblivious to the invasion.

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After the female leaves the nest again the Cowbird returns, looks around the nest but seemingly does no harm

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A little later the female returns and calls for her mate

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