Sara Kendrick | + Follow Poet |
Free verse | + Fav Poem | Comment | Email | Print |

The Brown Headed Cowbirds

The group of brown headed cowbirds I hope is migratory
I really don't want them staying in my yard
They are parasitic and can be devastating for other species
As they are lazy or sorry or ill mannered or whatever term is correct

They lay their eggs in another bird's nest
That mom or the two parents are not any wiser
And they feed and look after those eggs 
Just as though they were their own

However, the cowbird is usually larger
And starve their other nest mates 
Cruel, uncaring might be a better word
For the parents of those little offsprings

I know they don't think ahead 
Because if they did they might figure it out
If their eggs are hatched, then their chicks fed
The other bird population gradually dies out
Then what???

They might have to go to work....
Then that could be the end of the birds upon this earth

Copyright © Sara Kendrick | Year Posted 2024

Please Login to post a comment

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 4/1/2024 4:43:00 AM HI SARA SEE SOUPMAIL PLEASE jENNIFER Login to Reply Sara Kendrick Date: 4/1/2024 5:11:00 AM Soupmail answered. Sara K

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 4/1/2024 4:04:00 AM You talk about the brown headed cowbirds as having an invasive kind of character. Well in the Johannesburg and surrounding areas this Autumn, we have been overrun with a small beautifully colored, green, yellow and Mediterranean blue, orange beekted bird, the small green parrot, who outcompetes other birds in the finding of their food source, raids nests and causes harm to our agriculture. Invasive like your brown headed cowbirds do. Ours is actually called the rose-ringed parakeet. So strange, maybe cli mate change is changing our bird-life migration! Hugs and blessings, Jennifer. Login to Reply Sara Kendrick Date: 4/1/2024 5:10:00 AM Jennifer, it could be that the bird of which you speak has flown in because where they did live have been destroyed for some reason. There have been so many wildfires all over the world, drought, and famine. I hope that their natural habitat will be restored so they can return home. Thanks for sharing this information with us and for dropping by my page. Soupmail answered.Sara K

Vijay Pandit Date: 3/29/2024 6:01:00 AM Nature too has its share of unwanted--hope they don't stay too long in your yard. You made your point brilliantly in this poem, Sara. Login to Reply Sara Kendrick Date: 3/29/2024 6:05:00 AM Thank you, Vijay. I appreciate the kind review of my work. Sara K

Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 3/29/2024 5:15:00 AM Dear Sara, your poem wonderfully sheds light on the ecological impact of invasive species with poignant clarity. I love how your words capture the urgency of conservation and the delicate balance of ecosystems. It's the consequences of human actions on the natural world urging us to consider the long-term consequences of our choices. I agree, and it's a great poem! - Blessings, Daniel Login to Reply Sara Kendrick Date: 3/29/2024 6:05:00 AM I appreciate the thoughtful comments on my work, Daniel. Yes, we need to do our part to help out our animals, birds, etc. so that future generations to be able to enjoy all of nature like we have done. Sara K

Silent One Date: 3/29/2024 3:52:00 AM Thanks for the education.. Your poem offers a thought-provoking reflection on the complex dynamics of interspecies relationships and the importance of ecological balance in maintaining the health of ecosystems. Login to Reply Sara Kendrick Date: 3/29/2024 6:03:00 AM SO, look them up and learn a little more about them. They originally followed the bison of our country and fed from the stirring up of insects by the bison's feet. I guess at that time they followed the herd and other birds reared their young and it worked out okay. Sara K

Ink Empress Date: 3/29/2024 2:24:00 AM Oh this is very interesting and thought provoking how youv written about these birds dear sara. I love the flow of this. Pleasure always reading your work. Sending you light Login to Reply Sara Kendrick Date: 3/29/2024 5:59:00 AM Why, thank you, IE. I appreciate the kind review of my work. Sara K