The loud, continuous song of the male during nestbuilding alerts cowbirds and predators to the presence of a nest.
Friedmann (1929) published his book on the cowbirds he had only three records of such molestation, but more have turned up since, particularly in the Middle West where the ranges of the two species overlap considerably.
And Mr. Dawson (1923) writes: Dwarf Cowbirds are prominent in the formidable host of enemies which this tiny bird must face.
So much of the breeding range of the myrtle warbler is beyond the normal breeding range of the cowbirds that, until recently, it was supposed to be largely free from the imposition of this parasite.
At that time the cowbirds were to be seen everywhere; they chattered every morning in the trees, and the females left their unwelcome eggs in nearly every nest.
No cowbirds have been seen since the first week of the month, save the young one on the stump, which the field-sparrow was feeding this morning.
You look up and see flocks of cowbirds flying in the same direction and still larger flocks of night hawks, hundreds of them in the air at once.
By and by, however, when he grows large enough to shift for himself, he deserts his little parents and nurses and seeks companionship among his own blood kindred, who doubtless bring him up in the way all cowbirds should go.
In order to get the desired results, in the spring of 1899 I secured a pair of cowbirds and placed them in a large cage, cared well for them, and supplied them with plenty of nesting material.
It may be a matter of surprise to many persons that there are twelve species and subspecies of cowbirds in North and South America, for most of us are familiar only with the common cowbird (Molothrus ater) of our temperate regions.
One observer maintains that the cowbirds are not only parasitical in their habits, but are also absolutely devoid of conjugal affection, practicing polyandry, and seldom even mating.
The cowbirds were the first to leave the sylvan roof tree.
What I mean is this: In my rambles I have often found the cowbirds the first to give warning of the approach of a supposed danger.
Who has ever seen twocowbirds fighting a duel like the orioles, meadowlarks, and robins?
Our mates have enough to do to bring up their own families, so I say the tribe of cowbirdsmust be driven from this community, or else, like the rest of us, be forced to work.
During the breeding-season you will see the grackles, and red-winged blackbirds, and the cowbirdschattering and gossipping together, as they roost for the night.
The cowbirds are tramps by nature, and you can't change their natures, you know.
In the breeding season the male grackles, red-winged blackbirds, and the cowbirdsof both sexes, nightly congregate to roost together.
Cowbirds often lay eggs in their nests, and are considered with dogs, cats, and rats as their greatest enemies.
When plagued by cowbirds laying eggs in its nest, this warbler builds a second nest on top of the first, completely covering the cowbird's eggs, and any of its own in the bottom layer.
The cowbirds and yellow-bellied sapsuckers who do not sing wished to do something, too.
The cowbirds offered to keep the flies and other insects off of the victuals, and the sapsuckers agreed to give tapping signals from their high places in the tall trees whenever a change of program was to be announced.
Cowbirds must indeed be sharp nest-finders to be able to discover at short notice not only the nests of certain suitable kinds of birds, but even nests containing eggs at a certain stage of incubation!
Dark hordes of clacking grackles pass by, scores of red-winged blackbirds and cowbirds mingle amicably together, both of dark hue but of such unlike matrimonial habits.
The cowbirds stopped catching flies and looked uneasily at one another.
But Cowbirds are very crafty, and usually select their victims from among the small, feeble, and helpless.
I don't see any Cowbirds this afternoon," said Nat, thinking the Doctor was looking for them.
Who has ever seen two cowbirds fighting a duel like the orioles, meadow larks, and robins?
The cowbirds were the first to leave the roof-tree.
By and by, however, when he grows large enough to shift for himself, he deserts his little parents and nurses and seeks companionship among his own blood kindred, who will doubtless bring him up in the way all cowbirds should walk.
The above list will hopefully give you a few useful examples demonstrating the appropriate usage of "cowbirds" in a variety of sentences. We hope that you will now be able to make sentences using this word.
