Male oropendula doing his job looking to see if any parasitic cowbirds are in the nest
Female Cowbirds sneak in the nest to lay her eggs. Interesting strategy. He is also checking if female oropendula is in the nest sitting on eggs, checking if she is finished with making the nest. She does mostly all the work. She makes this complex nest, lays the eggs chases the cowbirds away. She spends most of the energy. They incubate cowbirds sometimes if the cowbird works fast.
Mike Heusner: They tried building nests in a palm tree in front of our lodge but a cold front with strong winds in February chased them away. They used to build many nests in big fig trees on the riverside but now they are building in palm trees.
Mary K Cariddi: Symbiotic relationship.
Researchers found out the cow bird prevents parasites in the nests.
Jane West:
One of my favorite birds! Love to listen to them!
Photograph by Carol Farneti Foster
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