September 2024 Friday’s e-links: Amazing Bird Nests

Last updated 9/27/24

Every once in a while, (and sometimes each day) I listen to a great podcast, enjoy an article, or see a good video that I want to share with you.

Rather similar to you and me, birds also use the factors of production to build their homes. But they need to be more clever. Totally captivating, this birds’ nest article adds a new spin to land, labor, and capital. In its September issue, Smithsonian Magazine details the intricacies of eight nests. They describe how the Cape penduline tit, just three inches includes a decoy entrance to fool snakes and other predators. They also tell us about the White-winged chough building nests of layered mud and the woven nests of the Village weaver. The images are magnificent.

The Cape penduline tit uses spider webs and plant material for a nest that males and females together build during more than 20 days: