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Information About Bird Nests

Information About Bird Nests thumbnail
A hummingbird nest is the perfect size for its tiny offspring

The variety and occasional extravagance of birds' nests have long fascinated humans. Nests often have few commonalities among them; there are nearly as many different types of nests as there are birds who build them.

  1. Structures

    • The structure of nests can vary widely. Scratches in the ground, hollows in trees, burrows, simple platforms, the familiar cup-shaped nest and hanging pendulums are all examples of different bird nest structures.

    Size

    • Nests can vary greatly in size as well as structure. The smallest cup-shaped nest belongs to the hummingbird, whose nests can be as small as a thimble. On the other end of the spectrum, bald eagles can build nests so heavy (in some cases up to two tons) that they can topple the trees in which they are built.

    Function

    • The primary purpose of birds' nests is to provide a safe, often temperature-controlled place for their eggs and hatchlings. Nests are built to protect the young from both adverse weather conditions and predators.

    Features

    • There are no structural features that are universal to all bird nests. Nests may be constructed of any number of substances, from the familiar twigs and lichens to mud. Some species of swallows even build nests composed of their sticky saliva.

    Fun Fact

    • Not all structures built by birds are nests. Male bowerbirds, for instance, build elaborate structures decorated with found objects in order to attract females.

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  • Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Mikul

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