Question re Cowbirds

As I mentioned in an earlier posting, I have the cutest, chubbiest
little cowbird following a very dainty, trim house finch (I think)
around successfully begging for food from mom and then foraging on its
own for scattered seed. My question is this -- Do cowbirds
instinctively know which nest belongs to seed eaters or would a cowbird
do as well if raised by insect eaters?

Thanks,
Pat
in Central Virginia

On Wed, 07 Jun 2006 11:21:58 -0400, Grdner <grdner.RemoveThis@virginia.edu>
wrote:

>,;As I mentioned in an earlier posting, I have the cutest, chubbiest
>,;little cowbird following a very dainty, trim house finch (I think)
>,;around successfully begging for food from mom and then foraging on its
>,;own for scattered seed. My question is this -- Do cowbirds
>,;instinctively know which nest belongs to seed eaters or would a cowbird
>,;do as well if raised by insect eaters?

There are many raised by warblers. The only cowbird eradication
program I know of was for the protection of the Kirkland warbler.

I had one chickadee nest box that had seven chickadee eggs and one
cowbird egg. I took pictures throughout expecting a disaster. All
eight birds were successfully fledged. Cowbird eggs are not often
found in birdhouses.