Sticking Out

 Sticking Out

Noel Laflin

9-10-21

The adult female Pin-Tail Whydah is a sneaky bird, and just like a European Cuckoo, will lay its eggs in another bird's nest, and let the unsuspecting foster parent do the rest of the work. But unlike cuckoos, the whydah won't toss out the other eggs, but instead just hopes that the other species of bird won't catch on when the number of eggs in her nest has magically increased.

Here in Orange, whydahs prefer to deposit their eggs in the nests of house finches, as the eggs are similar in both size and color.

As I see young whydahs frequently in the company of house finches, it always amazes me how it is that the finches just don't seem to catch on that one or two of their siblings look so different from themselves. Sure, they are about the same size, fly alike, and tend to eat the same kinds of seed and grain, but where, they must think, does that bright red beak come from? And their song, for that matter, as the whydah's is vastly more melodious ... What's with that, they must wonder.

But, far be it from me to judge, as these integrated siblings do seem to get along quite nicely.

And unlike Rudolph, the whydah kids are certainly allowed to play in house finch games.