The Secret World of Bird Nests

It’s easy to take birds for granted, but they play a crucial role in our ecosystem by controlling insect populations, pollinating plants and spreading seeds. They are also incredible engineers, with the ability to build complex – and beautiful – nests to provide shelter and protection for their eggs and chicks. Have you ever wondered how they build them?

You’re probably most familiar with cup-shaped bird nests made from twigs and grass, but this is just one of many designs that birds use to create a home where they can nurture and protect their young. Depending on their habitat and way of life, a bird’s nest can float on water, teeter on the highest rocky outcrop or be burrowed inside the trunk of a tree.