Cowbirds - protected, or not ?

[airiscool]

I must be looking in the wrong place.  Anyone know of a link to what birds are, and are not, protected in New York State?

I just had four male Cowbirds at the feeder. I've read that they destroy other birds eggs and substitute their own. I'd like to see it in writing from the State if they are protected, or not, before I let the lead fly.

Thanks,

Paul.

[dk1677]

I thought I saw somewhere that they were but not positive on that

[dk1677]

Loop hole see http://nwco.net/03-LegalIssues/3-1-3-MigratoryBirdTreatyAct.asp

[airiscool]

Thanks Dave.

Looks like they are protected unless I can somehow get a crop and convince them to damage it......

That would explain why those four Cowbirds didn't fly off when I stepped out the back door.  If they had been Starlings, they would have been gone as soon as they heard the door knob rattle !!!

Paul.

[Mebits]

I'm ambivalent on cowbirds. I generally prefer to let nature (indigenous nature, that is) take it's course, but if the other song birds aren't doing well, I'd rather have fewer cowbirds around than more.

I know of avid birders who dispatch them whenever they can get away with it.

M

[airiscool]

Only concerned if they have an impact on the songbirds, but I guess if they are protected, their substituting their eggs for other birds isn't much of an impact.

While I was watching three Cowbirds jamed together on the small feeder, a Starling landed on top of the suet cage hanging under the feeder on my side of the feeder pole.

GREAT ! Now I get a chance to try the Trail. I slowly opened the door, remembering to hold the stock rifle style. I put the crosshairs on the Starling, and then remembered that it was sighted in for 30 yards so I lowered the crosshairs so I wouldn't shoot over.

Squeezed the Tuna trigger and SMACK !

Off flew the Starling and Cowbirds.  When I looked at the feeder again, the suet cage was on the ground. Thinking the Starling knocked it loose when it took off, I went out to re-hang it.

The suet cage chain was shot through right about at a point where the underside of the Starling's belly had been. The 1 inch feeder pole has a nice lead smeared dent in it. Not bad, hit the pole ever so slightly off center at 22 yards.  Only problem was that I forgot that this thing shoots ALOT flatter than the Whisper, and that at 22 yards I don't have to aim low to compensate.

So much for an easy first kill for the Trail. The nut behind the butt got out of "adjustment" again!!! !  

Paul.

[longislandhunter]

I've been tempted to shoot them (cowbirds) many times at the duck farm, but they are in fact protected  

Jeff

[Mebits]

They're not entirely all that protected...

This is from

http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/for/for13/for13.htm

Federal Agency Regulations
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for enforcing the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (as amended), the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (as amended) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (as amended). Because of these laws, it is illegal to kill, destroy or harm any endangered or threatened wildlife species or any migratory bird except the feral pigeon, European staffing and English sparrow.
A federal permit must be obtained before any federally protected migratory species may be taken, possessed or transported. This includes whole birds, any bird part, eggs or nest. This permit is not required only when the following conditions are present under the provisions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act:
"Yellow-headed, bi-colored and tri-colored, red-winged, rusty and Brewer's blackbirds, cowbirds, all grackles, crows and magpies when committing or about to commit depredation upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance."

Federal permit application form requests and a $25.00 processing fee should be made to:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Law Enforcement Permit Office
P.O. Box 4839
Atlanta, GA 30302
Telephone (404) 331-3555
State Regulations

[dk1677]

Hey Paul we want pictures of the suet kill ;-)

[airiscool]

Sorry Dave,-  with the help of a needle nose plyer I was able to bring it back to life.  But I can get you a pretty picture of the dent in the steel pipe .  

Paul.