On Aug 11th,  I invited birders to let me know what birds they had seen
performing host chores with Brown-headed Cowbirds.  Reports were to include
recent sightings,  preferably no older than a few years ago.
 
    Results (below)  revealed that quite a few species serve as hosts in our
area.  
 
    Anne Arundel County    -   Northern Mockingbird
 
    Baltimore County        -      Acadian Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Song
Sparrow, Ovenbird,
                                                    Wood Thrush
 
    Calvert County          -        Red-eyed Vireo
 
    Howard County            -      Carolina Wren, Chipping Sparrow,
Northern Cardinal, Wood Thrush
 
    Montgomery County    -      Acadian Flycatcher, Song Sparrow, Yellow
Warbler, and "possibly" 
                                                      Prothonotary Warbler
(a cowbird was seen frequenting a cavity known to be used
                                                       by the warbler)
 
    Talbot County             -       Orchard Oriole, Wood Pewee, Carolina
Wren, Northern Cardinal (twice
                                                        reported)
 
    District of Columbia     -     Song Sparrow
 
    Note that the House Sparrow is not included on this listing.  Paul
Woodward corectly noted that the "Mystery Bird"  that started this
discussion was a Cowbird old enough to have been operating independently for
quit awhile.  That bird was begging from House Sparrows, but only for
momentary convenience.  The nesting habits and methods used by House
Sparrows to feed their young do not match what the Cowbirds need, so House
Sparrow nests are not attractive to Cowbirds.
 
    I am certain that more extensive lists of Cowbird hosts have been
compiled elsewhere.   The information above merely shows what some of our
Maryland and DC birders have seen recently.
 
  Les Roslund  
                                                    
 
Les Roslund

Talbot County
Easton MD 21601