Looking for species confirmation, and a little info. - California (1 Viewer)

[kentiumpro]

This is from my balcony in San Mateo, California (near SF).

I am pretty sure these two could be -

• 1. (Possibly) Buff-bellied Pipit (Anthus rubescens), or American Pipit
• 2. (Possibly) Dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis)

Please let me know, if this could be correct? I am new to watching and have a amateur eye.
Also, the 2 (only one pictured) Juncos are feeding the Pipit. The Pipit also chirps nearly constantly, so I assume it could be very young. Also, the Pipit is larger than the Juncos, so I didn't think it was a very fluffy young Junco.

• 3. Do birds often adopt and feed other species?

I am very curious as to if this is common, or happens to orphans, or maybe even maternal instincts or the loss of their own offspring, etc...

Thanks in advance, very curious!

 

[HeadWest]

The pipit is actually a fledgling brown-headed cowbird. Cowbirds are nest parasites, lying their eggs in the nests of other bird species. The fledglings are then raised by the unknowing nesting birds, in this case the juncos. It’s always odd to see the parents feeding a youngster that is twice their size, never the wiser.

 

[kevinsl06]

The pipit is actually a fledgling brown-headed cowbird. Cowbirds are nest parasites, lying their eggs in the nests of other bird species. The fledglings are then raised by the unknowing nesting birds, in this case the juncos. It’s always odd to see the parents feeding a youngster that is twice their size, never the wiser.

Correct.https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown-headed_Cowbird/id

 

[kentiumpro]

awesome, thanks so much you two.

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