“Architect”

Have you ever seen an abandoned bird nest or picked one up from the ground? The most common type of bird nest is the cup-shaped nest, such as the ones built by robins. They weave small twigs or stems into a circular shape and fill it with soft, dry grass, fine roots, moss, or down feathers. Crows use their feet and beaks to construct the walls of their nests. The advantage of this type of nest is that the eggs won’t roll around, and it stays warm inside. Birds build nests not only as a place for their young but also frequently sleep and live in them outside the breeding season.

How do birds build nests?

Birds are born knowing how to build nests and don’t need to learn from other birds. These “master builders” are very creative in their use of materials. Especially in urban areas, birds will use anything suitable from their surroundings—sometimes even paper bags, handkerchiefs, and dresses. Unfortunately, fishing lines and sharp plastic edges can sometimes injure them. However, researchers in Mexico have discovered that using cigarette remnants as nest linings doesn’t harm birds; the nicotine in the filters can even repel blood-sucking mites!

The African weaver bird is a skilled architect. The male bird uses its beak to weave grass into sturdy, ball-shaped nests.