Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow Nest Parasitized by Brown-headed Cowbird

Ted J. Nordhagen; Matthew P. Nordhagen; Paul Hendricks

doi:10.1676/05-005.1

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1 December 2005 Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow Nest Parasitized by Brown-headed Cowbird

Ted J. Nordhagen, Matthew P. Nordhagen, Paul Hendricks

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The Wilson Bulletin, 117(4):403-404 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1676/05-005.1

Abstract

On 22 July 2004, we found a Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni) nest in Sheridan County, Montana, containing a single Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) nestling that was about to fledge. A punctured sharp-tailed sparrow egg was found below the nest. This is the second definitive report of cowbird brood parasitism of a Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow nest and the first indicating successful rearing of a cowbird by this host species. The impact of cowbird parasitism on nesting success of Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow has not been studied, but our record indicates that nest failure (i.e., producing no host young) may be an outcome for some nests of this species.

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Ted J. Nordhagen, Matthew P. Nordhagen, and Paul Hendricks "Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow Nest Parasitized by Brown-headed Cowbird," The Wilson Bulletin 117(4), 403-404, (1 December 2005). https://doi.org/10.1676/05-005.1

Received: 18 January 2005; Accepted: 1 August 2005; Published: 1 December 2005

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