Parasitism - Shiny cowbird - Molothrus bonariensis Parasitism by Shiny Cowbird © Silvia Vitale© Silvia Vitale© Silvia Vitale© Silvia Vitale© Silvia VitaleThese photos were taken durante a bird survey. We were walking along the sidewalk when we saw a juvenile Shiny Cowbird soliciting food near a Hornero's nest. We stopped to see who the victim had been. A Bay-winged Cowbird appeared appeared with food to be delivered. But to our surprise the little shiny cowbird got nothing and the bird flew straight to the nest opening and gave the food to the chicks inside - there were two. The Bay-winged Cowbird went away and a second individual (we ignore whether it was the same) appeared. The little cowbird flapped its wings vigorously and screamed to be seen, but again it received nothing. The action repeated several times and no matter how hard he tried he did not succeed. So, what did he do? He got into the nest. Unluckily he had to go on with our task and left.