A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Hobbies, Crafts and Creativity The Bird Lovers Forum Thorny ~ Baby Cardinal just learning about eating seeds

I have seen this papa cardinal go to the bird feeder get a seed and take it to the little baby and feed it the seed,, I watched him do that three days in a row while Shirley was here visiting me,, she witnessed it too. I've looked up baby cardinals But the ones I've seen are more mature looking than this one,



Here it is watching papa at the feeder anticipating his next taste of seed


after feeding

That's because your baby Cardinal is ACTUALLY a baby COWBIRD! Cardinals are one of the species that Cowbirds often prey on. The female Cowbird removes one egg from the Cardinal's (or other bird's) nest and lays ITS egg in place of the other egg. The unsuspecting parents then raise the Cowbird chick as their own. I have personally seen other Cardinals taking care of baby Cowbirds myself!

This is a GREAT picture! You have captured this unusual relationship quite well!

Very Interesting,,,,,
cooooooool I just looked it up and I've seen other pictures almost the same as mine,, Thanks THorney

that is so cool. Why doesn't the cowbird take care of their own eggs?

We don't know why about the Cowbirds. Cowbirds do not make nests OR raise their own young. Female Cowbirds just go to Wild Parties and when they find they are expecting, they just leave their babies on other birds' doorsteps, and then split to go to the next wild party.

A bit like the old Dr Seuss story about Horton hatching the egg!

EXACTLY, Stevie!

Fun birds.

I al I always knew the red cardinal was a good bird.. That proves it ........Those are swell photos diane.

Thanks for sharing ..........