Luke Brugger (public domain)- Ducks lay many more eggs than songbirds. For instance, wood ducks can lay as many as 15 eggs in one nesting cycle.
- Not all birds build nests. Two that don’t are cowbirds, which lay their eggs in other birds’ nests, and screech-owls, which use cavities that other birds or critters have hollowed out.
- Ever wonder why there are so many pigeons around? They can nest up to eight times a year.
- Killdeer are fully feathered when they hatch. As soon as they dry, sometimes in as little as five minutes, they will leave the nest.
- Most young don’t stay in the nest long, but it’s a different story with larger birds like owls, hawks, and eagles. Bald eagles will stay in the nest up to 98 days!
- NestWatch is a nationwide program that enlists amateur bird-watchers to monitor nests for scientific research. Last year, volunteers monitored 984 house-wren nesting attempts. See nestwatch.org.
- Fascinated by eggs? Check out The Book of Eggs by Mark E. Hauber, which offers detailed pictures of the eggs of 600 bird species from all over the world.
Cheri Brandt says
A male house wren will put sticks and grass in three or four different houses. He then lets his prospective mate choose which she likes best. Sometimes she doesn’t like any! (Probably wants to live in a swankier neighborhood.)
Debbie Rusell says
Working in the shed, we moved a back pack, , a few days later we saw a nest. I think it was in there before we moved it. Will the parents follow the nest.? Bird smaller than a Robin ……
Ragoo Rao says
Interesting facts on bird nests.
Roxy Giddens says
I have a sweet little wren who has built a nest in one of my bird houses. It is a hanging birdhouse. I had one that used it last year and I am wondering if this is the same mother bird. 🙂