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Posted by Susan Schneider on 19:17:17 07/11/04
And in my own backyard near the FIU main campus! Spot-breasted Oriole is a regular visitor, but I'd had no idea that Bronzed Cowbirds were any closer than Barnes. The oriole attracted my attention by flying down onto my back lawn several times and returning to a spot in a tree where it appeared to be feeding a youngster. But when the youngster came out in the open, it was no juvenile oriole, but a cowbird--but not, of course, a brown-headed. The bird was entirely black except for an orangeish tinge at the base of the thick beak; it was slightly smaller than the oriole. It looked like a female Bronzed Cowbird except for the beak tinge and dark rather than red eyes. The two continued to associate, and when the oriole flew off, it was followed by the cowbird.
Poetic justice, one exotic preying on another! According to the Terres Encyclopedia, in their native realm, Spot-breasted Oriole is a common host for Bronzed Cowbird. Never thought I'd see this here.
Good summer birding, Susan
Susan Schneider
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