Spring will soon be here, and birds will be preparing to make their nests. Depending on the species, bird nests can be quite different. Some nest in tree cavities, others nest on the ground. Many songbirds build their nest with a combination of different types of vegetation. You can give it a try yourself with this fun hands-on activity!
Supplies
A cage for your nesting materials, such as: kitchen whisk, suet cage, berry basket, mesh produce bag, etc.
Scissors
Nesting materials such as: yarn, paper, feathers, grass, leaves, twigs, moss, evergreen needles, bark
Instructions
Gather some nesting materials from outside or inside your house.
If using paper or cloth, cut these into thin strips. If using yarn, cut into 4-8 inch pieces.
Push all the materials inside your cage. Attach it to a tree, fence or deck. You can also leave piles of nesting materials on the ground.
Find rocks or pinecones to be pretend eggs to see how well your nest works
Return all materials after doing this activity. Make sure none of your man-made materials are left outside.
Ask Yourself
What types of birds come to collect nest materials? Use a field guide, or National Geographic's Backyard Bird Identifier to figure out the species if you don't know.
Watch them closely - can you see where they're going to build their nest?
Read about different types of bird nests made by different species.
Learn More
Participate in NestWatch, coordinated by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Parent Notes
Do not use dryer lint in your offering of nesting materials. It may crumble, get wet, or contain residues from detergents. It's best to stick to natural materials, or simple materials like cloth and paper. Find out more about nesting materials here.
