Date: 6/21/25 4:36 pm From: Ramsey, Lawrence William <lwr...> Subject: Anybody have good experience in ID'ing Cowbird young in nest boxes?
After several years of Carolina wrens nesting in the garage on and off, I wanted to stop that. The garage nests were usually successful, but it was a pain to get up at twilight to open the garage and similarly closing it late. This year I built a wren nest box per Cornell plans and but it on the garage near some cover. We were thrilled a few days ago when we saw Carolinas going back and for with food. Today I got a photo of a chick being fed (Pic 1) but I was concerned it was a cowbird. A bit later that chick was perched at the house entrance (Pic2). I rarely get cowbirds in my Gilbertson Bluebird house and even more rarely see cowbird chicks. Can any of you nest box folks out there verify that this is likely a cowbird. It does not look like any wren young I have seen.
larry
