In a message dated 98-07-10 12:36:36 EDT, you write:

<< Seems to me that the only adequate objective survey method
to gauge the cowbird's effect on a more widespread and abundant species such
as
the junco would be to census a cowbird affected area first, then remove the
cowbirds and re-census. Although one would assume that the plight of
Kirtland's >>

This very study is being conducted by the Nature Conservancy at Ft. Hood,
Texas. In the six years of study, the number of cowbirds has been reduced and
controlled, and the parasitized species, especially the endangered Golden-
Cheeked Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo, have rebounded. Cowbird control
works, and works well.

Feeding birds at bird feeders in the summer will not help cowbirds. Like most
passerines, HY cowbirds are almost totally insectivorous and don't begin
eating seeds until they are older. The cowbird willingly parasitizes American
Goldfinches, but rarely do AMGO's successfully raise cowbird HY's, as the AMGO
feeds almost totally on seeds. The cowbird babies usually starve because they
aren't fed insects.

I feed all year long. I've seen three cowbirds at my feeder, and they didn't
stick around.
I have at least twenty pair of AMGO, two pairs of Evening Grosbeaks, black
headed grosbeaks, juncos, mourning doves, many house finches, pine siskins,
etc. I wouldn't dream of missing them. If you feed straight sunflower seed and
niger out of species-specific thistle feeders, the cowbirds will leave your
feeders alone. Cowbirds like millet and milo...........don't feed that stuff
and you won'thave cowbirds (or sparrows, or other junk birds.)
Michelle