When most people think of bird nests, they imagine a pile of sticks shaped like a small cup. Many nests have that classic structure, but it’s not the case for every bird. Some species build extremely unique nests that look more like art than a functional bird nest.
Bird Species with the Coolest Nests
There are birds with incredible nests all over the world, but many of them are right in North America. Check out these unique species, along with how they build their nests.
1. Montezuma Oropendola (Birds with Hanging Nests)
- Habitat: Coastal lowlands from southeastern Mexico to Panama
- Diet: Fruits, flowers, insects
Montezuma oropendolas build narrow, hanging bird nests that stretch three feet or more below the branch. The females build these hand-woven nests using a mixture of fibers and vines. These birds gather in colonies, which can include over 100 hanging nests in one spot.
This species’ coloring stands out just as much as the nests. While their bodies are mostly brown and black, they have a bright blue patch by their eyes, an orange beak tip, and vibrant yellow tail feathers.
2. Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (Bird that Nests in Cacti)
- Habitat: Desert scrub from Mexico through areas of South America
- Diet: Insects, reptiles, birds, small mammals
These adorable little owls nest in existing cavities rather than creating something new. Due to their arid environment, this usually involves nesting in cacti. You may see the owls poking their heads out of cactus holes. Cacti provide good coverage for the eggs, shielding them from the sun and predators.
The ferruginous pygmy owl only stands 6 inches tall and weighs less than 3 ounces. So, they can easily fit into openings that other owls can’t.
3. Baltimore Oriole
- Habitat: Open woodlands across the eastern United States to northern South America
- Diet: Insects, berries, nectar
Many oriole species, including Baltimore Orioles, create nests that suspend from branches like basketball hoops. The birds delicately weave thin fibers together as if they’re knitting. Females primarily construct the nests and males help gather materials.
Male Baltimore orioles have beautiful coloring with dark black feathers and a vivid orange chest. Females are mostly dull yellow-orange color with dark wings.
4. African Jacana (Birds with Floating Nests)
- Habitat: Freshwater wetlands of sub-Saharan Africa
- Diet: Insects, larvae, worms, snails, mollusks, crustaceans
African Jacanas build floating nests from the stems of aquatic vegetation. These bird nests protect the eggs from predators and the changing water levels. The adults have oversized feet that help them walk across lily pads to access their unique nests.
These birds have chestnut-colored bodies with white necks and long legs. Males have a gorgeous light blue patch between their eyes.
5. Ovenbird
- Habitat: Closed-canopy forests from southeastern Canada through Mexico
- Diet: Insects
Ovenbirds got their unique name from their nest formations. They build dome-like structures with a side entrance, resembling old outdoor ovens. These bird nests can be both in trees and on the forest floor. The females choose safe spots and create the dome-shaped nests out of items like dead leaves, grasses, branches, and hair.
These small birds are hard to miss, measuring 4.3 to 6.3 inches long. They have olive green feathers and a white belly with black spots.
6. Penduline Tit
- Habitat: Areas with trees across parts of Eurasia, Africa, and North America
- Diet: Insects, spiders, seeds
The penduline tit is another species that creates hanging nests, but these nests have a fuzzy appearance. They’re made from animal hair, spider webs, and soft plant materials. This design creates a durable yet comfortable place to keep eggs.
These birds are only about 4 inches long, and they’re mostly brown and white with a black mask-like shape around their eyes.
7. Edible-Nest Swiftlet (Bird Nests Built from Saliva)
- Habitat: Caves and cliffs across southeast Asia
- Diet: Flying insects
Edible-nest swiftlets got their unique names because their nests have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and as the main ingredient in bird’s nest soup. The birds create round white nests using regurgitated saliva, and they attach them to rocks and other surfaces.
The birds themselves are only about 5.5 inches long, so their nests are fairly small. They have dark brown feathers and a short beak.
8. Cactus Wren
- Habitat: Deserts from southwestern United States through central Mexico
- Diet: Insects, spiders, fruits, seeds
Cactus wrens create oval-shaped nests from dry grasses, which rest on cacti and other desert plants. Since these bird nests are several feet above the ground and surrounded by cactus spikes, the eggs stay safe from predators.
This wren species is 7 to 8 inches long with a pattern of white, brown, and black feathers. Their long, pointed bills make it easy for them to forage for food under leaves and other objects.
9. Malleefowl (Ground-Dwelling Bird Nests)
- Habitat: Semi-arid shrublands of southern Australia
- Diet: Seeds, flowers, buds, fruits
These birds create mounds of sandy soil on the ground, which have an indent in the center for eggs. The males typically build the mounds, but there’s little to no care from either parent once the chicks hatch.
The nests are large because malleefowls are up to 24 inches long and 5.5 pounds. They have a pigeon-like appearance with mostly gray feathers, along with a brown and white pattern on their wings.
10. Bald Eagle (Bird with Giant Nest)
- Habitat: Forests near bodies of water across Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico
- Diet: Fish, birds, turtles, rabbits, snakes
Bald eagle nests are massive to match the bird’s large size. Their body length is 28 to 40 inches long while their wingspan is wider than the height of a person. As the national bird of the United States, bald eagles have a signature look of brown feathers and a white head.
These massive birds collect large sticks to create a nest that’s 4 to 6 feet in diameter and about 3 feet deep. They build these bird nests on top of tall trees, but they must choose sturdy trees since the nests can weigh over 1,000 pounds.
11. Bowerbird (Builds Nest-Like Structures)
- Habitat: Forests of Australia and New Guinea
- Diet: Fruits, insects, spiders, seeds
Bowerbirds build “bowers,” which look a lot like nests. They’re made of sticks and twigs, which have two raised sides. They almost look like an art piece, which makes sense considering that the birds use them to attract mates. Females prefer males with the most beautiful bowers.
These birds rarely lay eggs in these nest-like structures. Instead, females build a small, saucer-like nest in a secluded tree. There are several bowerbird species, most of which have vibrant purple or yellow eyes.
12. Cliff Swallow
- Habitat: Cliffsides and caves across North America and parts of South America
- Diet: Flying insects, berries
Cliff swallows use mud to create gourd-shaped nests that stick to cement walls and cliffs. Each nest has a small opening that the birds can squeeze into. They frequently nest in colonies, and in certain areas, thousands of birds may build nests near each other.
These birds are only 5 to 6 inches long, so their nests don’t take up much space. They have patches of dark-blue, warm brown, white, and gray feathers.
13. Osprey
- Habitat: Near bodies of water on all continents except Antarctica
- Diet: Fish
Like eagles, ospreys are massive birds that make nests suitable for their size. They measure 20 to 26 inches long and have wingspans of up to 71 inches. They use large branches to create wide, sturdy nests on treetops and man-made structures.
Osprey nests only have a diameter of about 2.5 feet in the first year, but the birds often add onto the nests. They can reach 3 to 6 feet in diameter and 10 to 13 feet deep.
14. Sociable Weaver
- Habitat: Arid savannas of southern Africa
- Diet: Insects, grass seeds
These small birds get their name from their social behaviors. They build large bird nests for their entire colony to use, which is made from woven grasses and twigs. The nests can be up to 10 feet tall and 20 feet wide.
Each sociable weaver nest has anywhere from 5 to 100 nesting chambers, with small holes for each bird to enter. Up to 400 birds can live in one nest structure.
15. Kingfisher (Tunnel Bird Nests)
- Habitat: Forests near streams across all continents except Antarctica
- Diet: Small fish, crayfish, tadpoles, frogs, aquatic insects
There are many kingfisher species, most of which have vibrant and beautiful plumage. Rather than gathering materials for a nest, they create burrows and lay their eggs underground. These tunnels are typically near bodies of water so the birds can easily access prey.
The burrows slope upward to prevent rainwater from collecting inside. One kingfisher burrow can be up to 15 feet long, although 3 to 6 feet is the most common.
Admire the Bird Nests Around You
No matter where you live, there could be stunning bird nests nearby. Some are so unique that you might not even realize a bird built them at first. Some of these bird nests hang, rest on the ground, or exist inside of other objects like cacti. If you’re lucky enough to witness one of these nests in person, admire them from a distance and take some photos.
