Posted by Heather CocKrell on July 1, 2006

Q: Hello! While trimming back several branches from a small decorative berry tree in our front yard I discovered a VERY small, what I think to be, cup nest located in the center of the tree. The nest was made out of nothing more than long blades of dried grass (no mud, spider webs, etc. keeping it together.) It also was not lined with any feathers or soft nesting materials. It contained one small white to off-white egg with small brown specks. Approx. size was between a dime and nickel. The nest was covered by a great deal of spider webbing indicating that there had not been any recent activity in the nest. There were also no additional shells in the nest or on the ground. We currently have two American Robin nests with new (very cute!) hatchlings that are within 15 ft. of this nest. I have not seen any bird(s) near this tree. Any idea with such little info. what it may be? We are in southwest Ohio if it helps. Thanks!

State: Ohio

A: Your detailed description was very helpful. I think I have an answer. Sounds to me that the nest was probably made by a Chipping Sparrow. These sparrows are quite common in suburbia,and make a small nest with fine grasses and rootlets although they're usually lined with fur or feathers. The egg you noted, however, sounds a bit large to me to be that of a Chipping Sparrow so I'm thinking it may be from the Brown-headed Cowbird. These cowbirds lay their eggs in other birds' nests and leave the incubation and raising to them. Often, however, the parasitized bird simply abandons its nest and builds elsewhere. I think that's exactly what has happened here. Hope this helps.

John Wiessinger ( July 2, 2006)