Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Whether or not birds and other animals are amoral or not, man has determined that some are detrimental and should be controlled or abolished. Included within that list is the Brown-headed Cowbird, probably the best known brood parasite in North America. At one time they were limited to short-grass prairies where they followed herds of buffalo. But today they are one of the major factors in the decline of songbirds, especially endangered species. Among those are the Kirtland’s Warbler in Michigan and the Black-capped Vireo and Golden-cheeked Warbler in Texas. For that reason, traps have been developed to catch and destroy the offenders.
These traps are used by government agencies as well as private citizens, but those participating in this need training before the traps are used. The idea is simple. Food is placed within the portable 6 X 8 foot enclosure which the birds can easily enter but are unable to exit. Along with food, adequate water and shade must be provided. It must be placed in an area to minimize non-target birds from being caught. This is to be done only from March 1 to May 31 and the traps are to be checked daily. Finally, the birds are to be euthanized humanely, generally using cervical dislocation, which is a euphemistic way of saying wring the bird’s neck.
Is this effective? The simple answer is “yes”. Studies have shown that 90 percent of the Black-capped Vireo nests have been invaded by cowbirds. But through trapping, it, along with the other endangered species, have made progress and their numbers are increasing. However, a less superficial answer would have to acknowledge that something is wrong here. “An enemy hath done this” (Matthew 13:28 ASV) was Christ’s simple response found in one of His parables. Sin hasn’t infected just mankind, but the whole world when in order to save one species we wring the neck of another. We muddle along trying our best to solve this distortion, but an ultimate solution will only come when all things are made new.