The nesting instinct
From straw caves to mud hut birds use all sorts of things to make their nests
Birds build nests for their own protection and for rearing their young. They can be quite complicated, even multi-chambered apartments, which are fully weatherproof and may last for many years.
Before building a nest a pair of birds decides where to build. Some work together to decide on the site.
Sometimes the female chooses the site and builds the nest.
But with birds such as blue tits, European sparrows and wrens, the male chooses the site then has to attract the female to it. In fact the tiny wren builds up to 12 nests then the female chooses one and he uses another to roost in.
Next, the building material must be collected. Birds search for all kinds of material from cobwebs, animal hair, feathers, leaves, moss, twigs, straw and even pieces of plastic are used. Tree nesting birds interweave the individual items into the shape they want. Often a huge amount of skill is needed. Watching a bird building a nest is a fascinating and rewarding experience.
The cup-shaped nest is a typical nest. It has a definite inside, which is normally lined and requires extra effort to make, but gives the eggs and young birds more protection. It is usually built in trees, often wedged between branches, but many birds bind or cement them directly to a bough. Different birds' nests take different lengths of time to make. Some are built in a day, others take two to three weeks to complete. And while some birds are happy to take over a second-hand nest, or return to one in a following year, others go for new-build every time.
A domed or enclosed nest is an extended cup nest. It has deeper walls, a roof and an entrance hole and offers more protection for the eggs and young, especially from the elements. Many domed nests are very intricate and solidly constructed. They may be camouflaged with lichens and lined with hundreds of feathers. Some of the most beautiful nests are woven hanging nests. They certainly look very beautiful and require great skill from the bird to build.
The hummingbird builds a nest which has only a single support branch or stem. To help keep it stable it has a streamer of grass and cobwebs hanging down below the nest.
Many birds nest on the ground and a few nest in holes in the ground or on cliff edges. Other birds choose to make a hole in trees, cacti and even in termite nests. Both males and females help excavate the hole which needs to be quite extensive to house the female and several chicks for some weeks.
Where mud is plentiful birds like flamingos will build very basic nests of mud. These structures are basically a hollow mound with a depression in the centre. They are built, gradually, with some mud piled above water level and more added as it dries They can be as much as 45 cm high. The only lining is mud.
In some places birds can be encouraged to use nesting boxes, usually made of wood, which they furnish with a soft interior. As long as they are hung in a sheltered space, well away from predators, the birds will settle and raise their family to the delight of everyone who can watch them.
Before building a nest a pair of birds decides where to build. Some work together to decide on the site.
Sometimes the female chooses the site and builds the nest.
But with birds such as blue tits, European sparrows and wrens, the male chooses the site then has to attract the female to it. In fact the tiny wren builds up to 12 nests then the female chooses one and he uses another to roost in.
Next, the building material must be collected. Birds search for all kinds of material from cobwebs, animal hair, feathers, leaves, moss, twigs, straw and even pieces of plastic are used. Tree nesting birds interweave the individual items into the shape they want. Often a huge amount of skill is needed. Watching a bird building a nest is a fascinating and rewarding experience.
The cup-shaped nest is a typical nest. It has a definite inside, which is normally lined and requires extra effort to make, but gives the eggs and young birds more protection. It is usually built in trees, often wedged between branches, but many birds bind or cement them directly to a bough. Different birds' nests take different lengths of time to make. Some are built in a day, others take two to three weeks to complete. And while some birds are happy to take over a second-hand nest, or return to one in a following year, others go for new-build every time.
A domed or enclosed nest is an extended cup nest. It has deeper walls, a roof and an entrance hole and offers more protection for the eggs and young, especially from the elements. Many domed nests are very intricate and solidly constructed. They may be camouflaged with lichens and lined with hundreds of feathers. Some of the most beautiful nests are woven hanging nests. They certainly look very beautiful and require great skill from the bird to build.
The hummingbird builds a nest which has only a single support branch or stem. To help keep it stable it has a streamer of grass and cobwebs hanging down below the nest.
Many birds nest on the ground and a few nest in holes in the ground or on cliff edges. Other birds choose to make a hole in trees, cacti and even in termite nests. Both males and females help excavate the hole which needs to be quite extensive to house the female and several chicks for some weeks.
Where mud is plentiful birds like flamingos will build very basic nests of mud. These structures are basically a hollow mound with a depression in the centre. They are built, gradually, with some mud piled above water level and more added as it dries They can be as much as 45 cm high. The only lining is mud.
In some places birds can be encouraged to use nesting boxes, usually made of wood, which they furnish with a soft interior. As long as they are hung in a sheltered space, well away from predators, the birds will settle and raise their family to the delight of everyone who can watch them.