Most birds build shelters called nests to lay their eggs and raise their young in. Nests provide protection from predators and the elements and they can be made from a wide variety of materials, depending on the type of bird and the environment it lives in.
Bird nests can be made from twigs, grass, plant fibers, mud, spider silk, moss, and almost any other material birds can get their beaks on. Some birds, like eagles, build their nests high in the trees to keep them safe from predators. Other birds build their nests on the ground or in low shrubs. Bird nests are as varied as birds themselves!
Common Types of Nests
Birds build many different types of nests, some fairly simple, and others much more complex. Here are some of the most common categories:
Scrape Nests- Scrape nests are made by many shore birds, ostriches, pheasants, and quails. They are generally nothing more than a shallow depression dug in the dirt or sand. Sometimes stones, feathers, or shells may be added. Birds that build scrape nests typically have highly camouflaged eggs, since they are often laid out in the open.
Cavity Nests- Some birds like owls, parrots, and bluebirds, build their nests in already existing cavities in trees. Woodpeckers and nut hatches actually chisel out their own cavities. They often line the cavity with feathers, plant fibers, moss, or fur for added insulation.
Burrow Nests-Many sea birds like puffins and kingfishers dig burrows in the ground with their feet to nest in.
Platform Nests- Some birds like raptors, osprey, and egrets build flat nests from sticks and twigs in trees or on the ground.
Cup Nests- Hummingbirds, warblers, and many other types of birds build cup shaped nests that house eggs or baby birds inside a depression in the center. They are often made with a combination of plant fibers, mud, twigs, and sometimes spider silk.
Mound Nests- Mound nests are made by brush turkeys, flamingos, and some coots. Usually the male builds a mound out of vegetation like sticks, twigs, and leaves, essentially creating a compost heap. As the vegetation decomposes, it releases heat that helps keep the eggs and baby birds warm.
Pendant Nests- Birds like weavers, Orioles, and sunbirds build nests that hang suspended from tree branches or cliffs, made from plant fibers, twigs, and sometimes mud.
Build A Bird Nest Activity
Many birds use a variety of materials woven together to build a nest strong enough to survive the elements and raise babies in. Try this fun hands on activity to explore one way birds give their nests strength.
For this activity you will need:
-mud
-grass or other plant fibers
-an outdoor space where you can be messy
First have your kids try building bird nests out of mud or grass. How do they hold up? Are they strong enough to withstand the elements?
Then have your kids try building nests with both mud and grass. How do these nests compare to the first nests? Are they stronger? Why do you think using both materials makes a stronger nest.
Additional Resources
Here are a few of my favorite sites and videos about bird nests:
-7 Nests That Will Change How You Think of Birds video from SciShow
- What Are Nests Made From? video from Nature on PBS
-10 Amazing Facts About Bird Nests video from Geobeats
-Bird Nest Facts For Kids from Kiddle
If you enjoyed this post, check out the other posts in my Learning About Birds series and grab a printable All About Birds unit study.
Bird nests can be made from twigs, grass, plant fibers, mud, spider silk, moss, and almost any other material birds can get their beaks on. Some birds, like eagles, build their nests high in the trees to keep them safe from predators. Other birds build their nests on the ground or in low shrubs. Bird nests are as varied as birds themselves!
Birds build many different types of nests, some fairly simple, and others much more complex. Here are some of the most common categories:
Scrape Nests- Scrape nests are made by many shore birds, ostriches, pheasants, and quails. They are generally nothing more than a shallow depression dug in the dirt or sand. Sometimes stones, feathers, or shells may be added. Birds that build scrape nests typically have highly camouflaged eggs, since they are often laid out in the open.
Cavity Nests- Some birds like owls, parrots, and bluebirds, build their nests in already existing cavities in trees. Woodpeckers and nut hatches actually chisel out their own cavities. They often line the cavity with feathers, plant fibers, moss, or fur for added insulation.
Platform Nests- Some birds like raptors, osprey, and egrets build flat nests from sticks and twigs in trees or on the ground.
Cup Nests- Hummingbirds, warblers, and many other types of birds build cup shaped nests that house eggs or baby birds inside a depression in the center. They are often made with a combination of plant fibers, mud, twigs, and sometimes spider silk.
Pendant Nests- Birds like weavers, Orioles, and sunbirds build nests that hang suspended from tree branches or cliffs, made from plant fibers, twigs, and sometimes mud.
Build A Bird Nest Activity
Many birds use a variety of materials woven together to build a nest strong enough to survive the elements and raise babies in. Try this fun hands on activity to explore one way birds give their nests strength.
For this activity you will need:
-mud
-grass or other plant fibers
-an outdoor space where you can be messy
Then have your kids try building nests with both mud and grass. How do these nests compare to the first nests? Are they stronger? Why do you think using both materials makes a stronger nest.
Here are a few of my favorite sites and videos about bird nests:
-7 Nests That Will Change How You Think of Birds video from SciShow
- What Are Nests Made From? video from Nature on PBS
-10 Amazing Facts About Bird Nests video from Geobeats
-Bird Nest Facts For Kids from Kiddle
If you enjoyed this post, check out the other posts in my Learning About Birds series and grab a printable All About Birds unit study.
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