Month: July 2024

Northern Cardinal Nesting Behaviors Explained

Post author By Alexandra Goodman
Post date July 29, 2024
1 Comment on Northern Cardinal Nesting Behaviors Explained

Northern Cardinal Male — Image by Mike Nolen via Flickr.

Northern cardinals: known in part for their aggression during breeding season, and loved by many regardless. The male has distinctive red plumage and a notable crest. The female is less vividly colored, but is unique in her look. She has beautiful red accents and a massive pink bill. Both male and female adorn a black mask around their eyes and the base of their bill.

Most people love these birds for their color and singing ability. However, we think the most interesting thing about Northern cardinals is their nesting behavior. Northern cardinal nesting behavior and their building techniques are quite fascinating. On top of this, they fully display their massive personalities during breeding season.

About Northern Cardinals

Northern Cardinal Female Perched — Image by Mike Nolen via Flickr.

While Northern cardinals prefer dense shrubbery for nesting, seeing them in backyards and suburban gardens is not a rarity. In fact, backyard bird feeders led to the vast expansion of the Northern cardinal’s territory. The species originally habituated Southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America. Now, they are found across the Midwest and as far up the east coast as Canada. They have also been introduced in Southern California and Hawaii. This widespread territory provides the species protection from endangerment due to climate change and habitat destruction.

There are eighteen subspecies of Northern cardinals. Two groups categorize the subspecies based on size and color, crest size, bill shape, song dialect, and winter flocking behavior. All subspecies share a similar diet. This diet consists of grain, fruit, berries, and seeds. Northern cardinals additionally eat a variety of insects. This is especially true during breeding season. Due to the nature of their diet, they typically eat on the ground.

Northern Cardinals Nesting Behaviors

Now that we are familiar with the species, let’s dive into Northern cardinal nesting rituals and behaviors.

Courtship

Courtship begins at the brink of breeding season. This typically starts in the very late winter or at the onset of spring. When the male and female spot each other, they hold their heads high and sway back and forth as if dancing. They sing softly to one another while doing so. Once paired, the male partakes in feeding the female to strengthen the bond. This is often viewed as a kiss, as their beaks touch to pass the food.

Northern Cardinal Nesting Trends

Cardinal Pair — Image by Rockytopk9 via Flickr.

Once the birds complete courtship, it’s time to find a nesting site. Northern cardinals brood three to four times a year, so nesting starts early. Sometimes the first nest is built before the last snowmelt.

Eggs are typically laid in March, with the last brood laid by mid-August. There is a waiting period between courtship and egg laying because they are meticulously selective. Choosing a satisfactory nesting site takes over two weeks sometimes. On top of this, nest building doesn’t always start immediately once a site is selected. They wait an additional one to two weeks after nest completion. This provides time to ensure the nest is adequate.

Once laid, the female incubates the eggs for eleven to thirteen days. The male brings food to her during the first few days of incubation. Once hatched, both parents feed the fledglings. The male sometimes takes over feeding at the end, allowing the female to begin the nest building for the next brood. Seven to thirteen days later, the chicks leave the nest.

The Northern Cardinal Nest

The Northern cardinal nest rests between branches of a shrub or low tree in a dense thicket. The nest shape resembles a wide, open cup. It is twice as wide as it is high. The average nest is two to three inches tall and four to five inches wide. Its depth is about one and a half inches. The nest is typically well hidden and placed three to ten feet above the ground.

Northern Cardinal Nesting — Image by Ed Post via Flickr.

Northern Cardinal Nest Building

The male may collect some nesting materials, but the job of building the nest is largely left to the female. Females shape the nest by softening twigs and wrapping them around their body to form the cup shape. This method also allows them to measure for size. They continue spinning round and round at the center of the nest, pushing the material outward and into place with their feet as they go. They even jump on the material, forcing it into place.

The females’ construction starts with the base of the nest which is made from hardy plant stems and twigs. Next comes the cup, made of smooth materials such as dead leaves. The females then form the inner layer with fine bark strips and thin weed stems. Finally, they add the lining, consisting of rootlets, grass stems, and pine needles. They top the nest off with animal fur for comfort. This results in an insulated, sturdy, and soft Northern cardinal nest- everything a fledgling could wish for!

Interesting Facts About Northern Cardinals

Cardinal Pair Feeding — Image by Brody J via Flickr.

Bonus content! Here are a few fun facts about our beloved Northern cardinals.

Their red plumage is due to carotenoids attained by eating fruits, such as wild grapes and dogwood berries.
Northern cardinals are monogamous. Pairs sometimes last a few winters, a few years, or for life.
Northern cardinal nesting happens at the same breeding territory each year. The pair returns to the same territory time and time again. They do not, however, use the same nest.
This species loves feeding on black oil sunflower seeds at birdfeeders, preferably tray feeders. Pair this with some shrubbery such as honeysuckle, hawthorn, blackberry, or privet, and you just may find a cardinal nest in your back yard.
They do not use nest boxes.
The Northern cardinal nesting season is extraordinarily long. It spans three seasons of the year in some cases- spring, summer, and fall.
Northern cardinals roost communally in winter and do not migrate.
It is illegal to disrupt nesting cardinals in the U.S. Do not attempt to move Northern cardinal nests.
They are parasitized by brown-headed cowbirds. Cardinals cannot tell the difference in the eggs or fledglings. They often raise them accidentally as their own. It is, regardless, no use trying to get rid of the egg. The female cowbird returns to check on the egg, and if it is missing, destroys the Northern cardinal eggs.
The male protects a territory size of three to six acres when nesting. Males chase away males during nesting, but females also chase other females away during courtship and breeding. Their aggression is severe during this time. They even fight their own reflections in windows, thinking it is an intruding bird.
They thin out their nest throughout the breeding season to reduce insulation as the weather warms up, protecting the eggs and fledglings from overheating.

Tags cardinals, Nesting

Bird Behaviors Nesting Notes

Nesting Behaviors of Blue Jays in North America

Post author By Alexandra Goodman
Post date July 26, 2024
6 Comments on Nesting Behaviors of Blue Jays in North America

Blue jays are a birdwatcher’s joy, often topping their list of desired sightings. Although similar in appearance to other blue-colored jays like the Steller’s, Pinyon and Mexican jay, blue jays have distinct characteristics that make them stand out from the rest.

The nesting behavior of the blue jay is unique in many ways, including how these birds handle courtship, feeding, and defence against predation. Let’s learn more about this fascinating bird and its unique nesting conduct.

Blue Jay Perched — Image by Rockytopk9 via Flickr.

North American Blue Jays

Blue jays are aptly named for the bright blue plumage on their wings and tails, which fades to a duller blue on their back. They are easily recognized by the black band around their neck, which can even be used to identify individual birds as the shape varies significantly from individual to individual.

Blue jays are crested birds. However, they relax their crest when at ease.

Blue Jay With Crest — Image by Steve Jones via Flickr.

Blue jays stand out from similarly colored birds like bluebirds and buntings due to their significantly larger size.

Blue jays are both loved and hated. They are loved for their beauty and intellect but hated for their tendency to bully other bird species.These birds are notorious for shoving others off feeders, stealing eggs from nearby nests, and chasing away birds, small animals, and even humans who venture too close to their nests.

Blue Jays Nesting Behavior

Blue jays exhibit unique nesting behavior. But, before the nest, comes courtship.

Many males try their hand, well, wing, at winning the female, putting on grand displays of flight and following the female from tree to tree. She chooses her mate with a nod, yet they do not mate immediately. They instead continue to deepen their bond by sharing songs and grooming one another.

Nest Building and Maintenance

When it is time to build a nest, they work together as a pair- a rarity in the avian world. The male collects building materials, including twigs, tree bark, grass, leaves, and moss. He may also select other materials, such as cotton or newspaper strips, if they are located in an urban area.

Blue Jay Nest — Image by Eric Tischler via Flickr.

Blue jays are territorial and must nest within their own area. The females prefer deciduous trees. They build their nests in a vertical crotch of the tree trunk or at a horizontal fork of a tree limb further out from the trunk. The building site is typically eight to thirty feet above ground and well camouflaged.

The nest is large and cup-shaped, often with a white material lining the structure’s exterior.

These birds are diligent homeowners and consistently work to keep their nest clean, sturdy, and well-maintained. They fervently defend their nesting location and clutch of eggs against predators, parasitic birds such as cowbirds, and other blue jays attempting to move in and steal the nest.

However, they will abandon their nest if absolutely necessary. This often only happens in cases where they need to prioritize their own survival over that of the clutch of eggs. This may be due to a natural disaster, human interference, or severe predation.

Egg Laying and Hatching

Blue jays lay a small clutch of three to seven blue-green eggs.

The incubation process lasts about eighteen days. The female is the sole incubator to start, but the male sometimes steps in and lays on the clutch to allow the female time to stretch out her feathers and get a bath near the end of the eighteen days.

After hatching, fledglings remain in the nest, fed by both mom and dad for seventeen to twenty-one days. They then leave the nest with Mom and Dad to learn how to hunt and scavenge for their own food.

Jay Fledgling Being Fed By Mom — Image by Vladimir Naumoff via Flickr.

Interesting Facts About Blue Jays

Blue jays are fascinating birds and there is endless information to learn about them. Below, we share what we find to be some of the most interesting blue jay facts.

Blue jays are monogamous and often mate for life.
Blue jays are one of the only bird species in which the male and female have no significant features that distinguish one from the other.
Birds of this species can mimic the call of the red-shouldered hawk. They use this both as a warning to other blue jays in the area that a predator is nearby and a deterrent to smaller predators who may be a hawk’s natural prey.
It has been discovered that these birds often utilize tools to simplify tasks.
Blue jays are playful, especially juveniles. They can often be seen playing with shiny or colorful items, often picking it up and carrying the item with them for some time, like a toddler with a new stuffed animal.
Birds of this species have strong family bonds. In addition to being monogamous, the parents stick with the fledglings while they learn to hunt and defend their territories. The family sticks together until it is time for the juveniles to find a mate.
Blue jays have a diverse diet, including nuts, seeds, grains, berries, small fruits, insects, eggs, small rodents, baby birds, frogs, carrion, and more. They are especially fond of acorns and even hide them in tree trunks and underneath dirt for later.
Blue jays are part of the Corvid family (which consists of ravens, crows, and other large birds of prey). This serves as an explanation for their high intelligence.

Jay Feeding On Nuts — Image by Larry Reis via Flickr.

Tags jays, Nesting

Bird Behaviors Nesting Notes

Nesting Behaviors of the American Goldfinch

Post author By Jack Emery
Post date July 22, 2024
2 Comments on Nesting Behaviors of the American Goldfinch

Despite its unassuming size, the American goldfinch is unique. There are two other species of goldfinch, the Lesser goldfinch and the Lawrence’s goldfinch, but the American goldfinch has distinctive traits that make it stand out from the others.

In the summer months, these small songbirds acrobatically dart through meadows in flashes of black and yellow, gathering an array of nesting materials.

These nesting materials – most notably the down from milkweed – are used to construct a watertight nest. The only known waterproof nest known to ornithologists.

But the uniqueness doesn’t stop there.

The American goldfinch is one of the only known bird species to exclusively use its feet to feed their chicks.

Read on to discover more about the nesting behaviors of the American goldfinch.

What are American Goldfinches?

Before we delve into the world of American goldfinch nesting, first we need to understand what exactly an American goldfinch is.

What is it like? Where does it live? What does it eat?

The American goldfinch is a small, sparrow-sized songbird belonging to the passerine family. It can be found across much of North America – from Alberta, Canada, to Southern US states.

During the summer months, breeding males sport a striking yellow body with a distinguishable black cap. Their black wings and tail feathers are streaked with white plumage.

Goldfinch Perched on a Purple Coneflower — Image by Matthew Studebaker via Flickr.

To have the best chance at spotting this finch, head to meadows and weedy fields, where they congregate in small groups to feed on the abundance of seeds.

American Goldfinch Courtship Displays

Brief description, tick.

Next up, courtship.

Before nesting can take place, a male goldfinch has to snatch the attention of the female.

To do this, he will court her through a series of flight displays and perky songs.

The healthier the male, the brighter his yellow plumage will be. This signals to the female that he would be an excellent partner in raising her chicks.

Once a female accepts a mate, the pair will fly in wide circles, with the male warbling and the female flying in a zigzag manner.

After, a territory is established by the male where the female can start constructing the nest.

American Goldfinch Nest Construction

Female American goldfinches almost always exclusively construct the nests.

A male may help bring materials for the female to use, but he will play no role in the construction. She has very high standards, and everything has to be perfect.

Goldfinch Collecting Nesting Material — Image by Scott Wedell via Flickr.

The nest of an American goldfinch consists of various layers.

The outer layer, or shell, is formed by weaving together the fibers from dead trees, weeds, vines, catkins as well as grasses.

The rim of the nest is secured using bark, glued together via the sticky and strong silk of spiders and caterpillars.

The inner nest, where the eggs are laid, is lined with the soft down of plants such as thistles, milkweed and cattails.

To look at, the nest of the American goldfinch resembles a larger version of a cup nest made by a hummingbird. They’re approximately 3 inches in width.

But what makes the nests so unique is their incredible waterproofing properties. The females ensure the plant fibers are woven so securely, it creates a watertight space. So much so, the nests are liable to flooding in times of heavy rainfall, and the chicks may perish.

To date, the nest of the American goldfinch is the only known bird nest that has been found to retain water.

Nesting Behaviors of the American Goldfinch

Mating and nest construction begins at the end of summer, peaking in late August – a time when most other bird species have already raised multiple broods and have started their migration.

Their breeding window is short, and most American goldfinches only produce one clutch of eggs per season.

But why does the American goldfinch mate so late in the season?

Pair of American Goldfinch — Image by Mike Nolen via Flickr.

Scientists speculate there are two main reasons why American goldfinches mate late in the season:

1. Resource Availability

The first hypothesis is resource availability – both in terms of nesting materials and food.

Nesting in late summer coincides with the abundance of seed heads from the post-flowering of plants such as milk thistle and milkweed, which can be used as the soft down for nesting substrate.

The timing also aligns with the abundance of their primary food source, seeds, during the late summer months. Although thistles are preferred, the goldfinch will consume a wide variety of seeds from weeds, flowers, trees, and grasses, along with buds, sap, and berries.

The American goldfinch has several adaptations for its seed-eating diet, including a strong, conical bill that efficiently gathers and splits seeds, and feet with high dexterity, enabling them to climb plant stems and hang from seed heads while feeding, opening a new niche inaccessible to other bird species.

2. Molting

The American Goldfinch is unique among certain finch species.

Unlike most finches, which experience a change in appearance as their feathers wear down over time, the American Goldfinch undergoes a prolonged molting process to obtain their breeding plumage.

Scientists believe this extended molt, uncommon for temperate zone birds, may be necessary for a bird that relies on a protein-poor seed diet to meet the energy demands of breeding.

Therefore, while the greater abundance of seeds in late summer compared to May or June provides more food for the young, it is, arguably, the completion of the molt, rather than food availability, that likely dictates the timing of the American Goldfinch’s breeding season.

American Goldfinch Chicks

Like all songbirds, the chicks of an American goldfinch are born blind and helpless. In the vastly complicated world of scientific terminology, this is referred to as altricial.

Altricial young require significant parental help, and the goldfinch parents work tirelessly for the next couple of weeks, ensuring enough food is brought from the surrounding meadows to allow the chick to develop in time for the encroaching winter.

Goldfinch Nestlings — Image by Daniel Cadieux via Facebook & Flickr.

At first, it is predominantly the female that feeds the young. As she hangs on various shrubs, she extracts seeds using her feet. She will eat these seeds, later regurgitating them back to her young.

Regurgitation is common in birds, however, very few birds are fed exclusively seeds from such an early life. Even species that lead a vegetarian lifestyle as adults still typically start off life on insects, as insects provide more protein that is crucial for growth and development.

After a few days, the male begins to feed the chicks. A little after two weeks, the fledgling goldfinches depart the nest for good.

Parasite-proof Nesting

In the natural world, parasites are a real problem.

Parasites are organisms that depend on a host to survive and spread. They can cause harm, often death, to the host.

But why am I talking about parasitism in the nesting behaviors of goldfinches?

Aren’t parasites small and nasty? The stuff of nightmares? Fleas, tapeworms and the likes?

I mean, sure, you get the standard endo and ectoparasites. But in the world of bird nesting, there’s a whole other world of parasitism: brood-parasitism.

Brood parasites are often birds that lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species. This behavior spares the parasite the energetically costly process of rearing young, yet ensuring their offspring are well cared for.

Now, this is where the American goldfinch comes in.

The Brown-headed Cowbird, native to North America, is a brood parasite. The female specializes in laying her eggs in the nests of other passerine species. Typically, the cowbird is larger than many of their songbird hosts, and their offspring grow quickly, deriving resources away from the host’s own offspring.

Essentially, cowbirds thrive.

However, the American Goldfinch is adapted for this eventuality.

Unlike other songbirds, that often resort to an insectivorous diet when raising chicks, the American goldfinch is a strict granivore, or seed-eater.

Whilst the goldfinch offspring seemingly gain enough protein from seeds alone, this niche diet cannot support the development of the young cowbird. As such, cowbirds that hatch in the nest of an American goldfinch often do not survive.

Final Thoughts on the American Goldfinch

So there we have it. Who would have thought that the small and common American goldfinch has so many unique nesting characteristics?

Their late mating and nesting, unusual for birds, ensures an abundance of resource availability, not only for building nests, but also to allow their chicks to feed and develop in a relatively short time frame.

Their highly dexterous legs and feet allow the finch to extract otherwise hard to reach seeds in which they feed their young.

The nest of the American goldfinch itself is also unique. So intricately designed, it is the only known bird nest to be watertight.

American Goldfinch Female — Image by Larry Reis via Flickr.

Tags finches, Nesting

Bird Behaviors Feathered Facts

Do Cardinal Birds Mate For Life?

Post author By Rhianna Quanstrom
Post date July 19, 2024
No Comments on Do Cardinal Birds Mate For Life?

The Northern Cardinal is perhaps the most well-known and well-loved bird in the central and eastern United States. With their bright red plumage, male Northern Cardinals are easy to spot and admire. Because of their commonality and beauty, they may even be a “gateway bird” into the birding world.

While the female lacks the bright red feathers of the male, she is lovely with her striking red beak and soft tan plumage. As soon as you spot either the male or female red cardinal, you’ll soon see the other nearby.

No matter the season, red cardinal pairs stick together. This is yet another quality that makes cardinal birds so endearing. But are they truly as bonded as they seem? Do cardinal birds mate for life?

Read on to learn whether or not these beloved birds are as loyal and steadfast as they appear. And, if you’ve ever seen red cardinals “kissing,” continue reading to learn about their fascinating courtship and nesting behaviors.

So, Do Cardinal Birds Mate For Life?

Image by B & B Nature Photography via Flickr.

Yes and no – some cardinal birds mate for life while others do not. According to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, about 20% of cardinal pairs split by the following breeding season.

There are various reasons why some cardinal birds mate for life and others don’t. Some reasons are known while some are unknown. For instance, if nesting was unsuccessful, for whatever reason, cardinal pairs may split to find other mates.

Cardinals will also find new mates if the other one dies, and they don’t hesitate to pair up with another mate quickly.

‘Cheating’ Cardinals

While most cardinal breeding pairs are loyal, a research study found that some will discreetly “cheat” on their mate. Because of how inconspicuous female red cardinals are, the biologists couldn’t visually confirm what they call extra-pair copulations (EPCs). However, they found that about 13% of fledglings in their field study had biological traits that did not match the male cardinal in a breeding pair.

EPCs are not uncommon, even in socially monogamous birds such as red cardinals. Birds will have extra-pair copulations to improve overall fledgling success, especially when predation or nest failure is high.

That said, EPCs are relatively low in cardinals compared to other bird species. This is perhaps due to the male Northern Cardinal aggressively defending his territory and mate.

Interestingly, in two of the three cardinal nests with confirmed EPCs, the male was more absent from the female than in other breeding pairs. So, it’s likely that the closer the red cardinal stays to the female, the less likely it is for EPCs to occur.

Due to their elusive nature, the study couldn’t confirm female Northern Cardinal responsiveness to EPCs from trespassing males. The research biologists believe females are likely to avoid it in most cases because of how much they depend on their mate to help raise the young.

Despite the 20% chance of pair separation and EPCs, it’s generally believed that cardinal birds form lasting bonds with their mate and will stick together until death do them part. Northern Cardinals will even stay close to their mate during the winter, whether or not they join with a mixed winter flock.

Courtship

In early spring, red cardinals perform courtship displays to form new breeding pairs or deepen current bonds. Their courtship is sweet, gentle, and straight out of a bird romance novel. The male and female sing softly to each other with heads held high while swaying back and forth.

Image by Daniel Cadieux via Facebook & Flickr.

The male red cardinal will feed the female to show his ability to care for her and the fledglings. I’ve witnessed this firsthand at my birdfeeder.

The female waited on a nearby branch while the male gathered seed in his beak. He flew back to the female and ever so gently fed her the seed. They appeared to be “kissing.” It was perhaps the sweetest bonding moment I’ve witnessed between two birds (yes, I’m humanizing their romance because why not?).

Besides active courtship displays between the sexes, the male will sing to establish his territory. Both male and female Northern Cardinals will aggressively defend their nesting territory by dive-bombing intruders.

Nesting

The male and female cardinal will search out nesting sites, though the female tends to lead the search. They will carry nesting materials in their beak and communicate back and forth while assessing potential nest sites.

The female red cardinal chooses the nest site and builds the cup nest. The male will help by bringing her nesting material. The nests are usually in dense foliage or shrubs, hidden out of view. Northern Cardinal nests consist of an outer twig layer followed by a few inner layers of leaves, grapevine bark, rootlets, stems, pine needles, and grass.

Once the nest is built after about 3-9 days, she will lay 2-5 eggs. Eggs are white to grayish-white or greenish-white with light grey or brown speckles. The eggs hatch after an incubation period of 11-13 days.

During incubation, the male red cardinal will bring food to the female who does most, if not all, of the incubation. While sitting on her nest, the female will sing.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology says the female may do this to, “give the male information about when to bring food to the nest.” This is a rare and interesting fact about female cardinals, as many North American female songbirds don’t sing, much less while sitting on the nest.

The eggs hatch after an incubation period of 11-13 days. Both male and female Northern Cardinals feed young.

At this point, the male will mostly feed the fledglings while the female starts building the nest for the second brood. Cardinals usually have two or three broods but will not use the same nest twice.

Fledglings leave the nest after about 9-11 days.

Final Thoughts: Do Cardinal Birds Mate For Life?

So, do cardinal birds mate for life? While the answer isn’t as straightforward as it seems, there’s no doubt that most Northern Cardinals form special, long-term bonds. Coupled with their adorable (and fierce) courtship behavior, the red cardinal should be the romance icon of the birding world.

Red cardinals display both tenderness and protectiveness towards each other. They look out for each other and share parental duties. As such, cardinals may just be an exemplary example of partnership (besides the EPCs of course, but we all have relationship challenges from time to time).

Tags cardinals

Bird Behaviors Nesting Notes

The Hummingbird Nest: Nature’s Tiny Wonder

Post author By India Thomas
Post date July 18, 2024
10 Comments on The Hummingbird Nest: Nature’s Tiny Wonder

What is tiny, incredibly intricate, and often overlooked?

You might think of snowflakes, microscopic plankton or spider webs.

Actually, the answer here lies in the nest of a hummingbird. These avian architects construct some of the most sophisticated and complex nests of the animal kingdom, and even more impressive is the tiny scale of these structures.

Most of us have never seen a hummingbird nest. These miniature masterpieces are not only small but also carefully camouflaged, making them nearly invisible to the untrained eye. So let’s delve into the mysteries of the hummingbird nest and reveal a wonder that usually goes unnoticed.

What Makes a Hummingbird Nest So Special?

Let’s start with size…

A hummingbird nest is about 1.5 inches in diameter, that’s less than the size of your thumb! You might be thinking, how do the eggs fit in a nest so small?

Hummingbird Nest With Hand For Scale — Image by Peter Baer via Flickr.

Well hummingbird eggs are also tiny, around the size of a jelly bean, and weighing less than 1 gram. They generally lay two eggs, giving just enough room for the two chicks that will emerge and grow.

Now onto their architectural genius…

Although a similar size to a half dollar coin, hummingbird nests are unbelievably sturdy and strong. The intricate nest is constructed in such a way that allows it to withstand harsh weather while remaining flexible enough to expand with the growing chicks.

How Hummingbirds Build Their Nests

The nest of a hummingbird is truly a magical wonder of the natural world. But how do they achieve such incredible architectural feats and at such a tiny scale?

Choosing the Ideal Spot

Hummingbirds typically build their nests in shrubs and trees, choosing spots high off the ground (between 10 to 90 feet). The nests can be built in between forked branches, in dense foliage, or even directly on top of a slender, horizontal branch. But, typically, they will all be located near a reliable food source with ample protection from predators and harsh weather.

Some people have found hummingbird nests in more unusual locations, including on a clothesline and in a basketball net. Although they sometimes nest on artificial structures, they avoid nesting in human-built nest boxes.

Laying the Foundations

Hummingbird Building Its Nest — Image by Warren Lynn via Flickr.

Once a suitable location is chosen, it’s time to lay the foundations. In hummingbird species, the female bird is solely responsible for both building the nest and raising the chicks.

She gathers soft plant materials such as grasses and leaves to form the nest’s base.

But, how does she get the materials to stick to the supporting structure?

The answer is pretty ingenious…

To bind the materials to the nest location and each other, she uses a special natural adhesive: spider web silk. The silk acts like a super-strong and sticky glue that she wraps around the materials, securing it onto the chosen spot.

Molding the Nest’s Cup

Once the base of the nest is firmly anchored and attached, the female can begin to build up the nest into its characteristic cup-shape.

She brings more plant material, adding it on top of the base and securing it with spider silk. Then, she uses her body to push into the center of the nest, squashing down the middle and sides and creating the perfect cup-shape.

Adding the Final Touches

After several days of hard work, the nest is nearly complete.

She collects soft, down-like cotton fibers and cattails to line the inside of the cup. This will provide a warm and soft surface for the eggs and the chicks once they hatch.

Hummingbird Collecting Nest Materials — Image by Greatblue1 via Flickr.

Camouflage is the final step – this is crucial as the female hummingbird, solely responsible for raising her offspring, must leave the nest to gather food once the chicks hatch. Camouflaging the nest is vital to protect it from predators.

Each hummingbird species adopts unique camouflage strategies; for instance, Anna’s hummingbirds often cover their nests with lichens, blending seamlessly into lichen-covered bark of a tree. Other species may use leaves, grasses, or wood chips depending on how best to disguise their nest home amongst the environment outside.

Spotting a Hummingbird Nest

We know that hummingbird nests are incredibly tiny and expertly camouflaged, so how could we possibly find one? If you are up for a challenge, finding a hummingbird nest is definitely a rewarding pursuit.

First, make sure you are looking at the right time. Like most other birds, hummingbirds nest in the spring and summer.

Next, find a good location to spot hummingbirds. Planting native flowers or setting up hummingbird feeders can attract hummingbirds to your garden.

Once you’ve spotted a hummingbird, watch from a distance to see what it is doing and where it goes. If you spot a female collecting plant material or spider webs, the nest will likely be very near.

To get a closer look, make sure to use binoculars or a camera. Hummingbirds are easily disturbed from their nest, so give lots of space to the momma bird and her nest.

Anna's Hummingbird Chicks — Image by John N Hoang via Flickr.

Final Thoughts

The natural world is an amazing and fascinating place. The nest of a hummingbird is a true wonder of nature. How amazing that such a tiny nest can be so expertly crafted and provide a safe and comfortable home for hummingbird chicks.

Spend some time in nature and see what other amazing natural structures you can spot, perhaps even a hummingbird nest if you are lucky!

Tags hummingbirds

Bird Guides Guides

Types of Hummingbirds in North America: A Guide

Post author By Alexandra Goodman
Post date July 9, 2024
No Comments on Types of Hummingbirds in North America: A Guide

A Broad-billed Hummingbird. Image by Matthew Studebaker via Flickr and website.

Hummingbird travel hotspots have become all the rave lately- and for good reason. These tiny birds accomplish incredible feats that few other birds on Earth are capable of. Not to mention, they’re quite the sight for sore eyes. Many people are fascinated by hummingbirds and are eager to know the tiny creatures better. So, without further ado, let’s chat hummingbirds.

Types of Hummingbirds in North America

Hummingbirds are frequently spotted in backyards, temperate meadows, rainforests, scrublands, and pine and oak woodlands. North America has over 300 species of hummingbirds, many migrating great distances within the region. Some common types of North American hummingbirds are:

Ruby-Throated hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbird
Black-Chinned
Calliope
Broad-Tailed
Allens
White-Eared
Rufous
Broad-Billed
Buff-Bellied
Violet-Crowned
Lucifer Hummingbird
Blue-Throated
Costa’s
Rivoli’s

There are additionally vagrant hummingbirds that visit North America during their migration. Examples include the Mexican Violetear, Green-Breasted Mango, Plain-Capped Star Throat, Amethyst-Throated Mountain-Gem, Bumblebee Hummingbird, and Cinnamon Hummingbird.

Conservation of All Types of Hummingbirds

Allen's Hummingbird. — An Allen’s Hummingbird. Image by Jerry Ting via Flickr.

These tiny birds are major players in the health of the ecosystems they inhabit. Hummingbird conservation is crucial not only for their intrinsic worth but also for the health of the planet. They are pollinators who have co-evolved with numerous plants which now depend on them for the survival of their species. Hummingbirds regulate insect populations by snacking both on the ground and in mid-air. They are also indicators of an ecosystem’s health and help us measure the rate and impact of climate change.

Yet even with their fan base in place, hummingbird populations are declining. Roughly nine percent of all types of hummingbird species are considered endangered, with six North American hummingbirds listed as species of concern.

Threats to Hummingbirds Include:

breeding threats such as habitat destruction
climate change
decline in biodiversity is eliminating or reducing key paired nectar plants
disconnection of mutualism due to climate change impacting nectar availability and bloom dates
massive declines in terrestrial insect populations due to pesticide use, monocropping, urbanization, habitat destruction, and pollution
exposure to poisons and pollutants, including pesticides and contaminated water sources

To save hummingbirds, we must focus on:

habitat protection and restoration
community engagement and education
researching and monitoring
conservation breeding and reintroduction
policy and advocacy
native planting
supporting conservation initiatives via donation or volunteer hours
reducing light pollution to prevent disorienting migrating birds

Our Favourite Types of Hummingbird

Identifying hummingbirds amplifies the joy of spotting them in nature. Let’s take a look at a few of our favorites.

Anna’s Hummingbird

It’s certainly no easy choice, but if we had to choose our favorite local hummingbird, we would select Anna’s Hummingbird for its dazzling pink, red, and yellow plumage. It resides in the Western United States, primarily California. Anna’s hummingbird feasts on nectar, spiders, and insects such as midges and whiteflies. Like all hummingbirds, it is a pollinator and is paired with Eucalyptus, Manzanita, and Fuchsia. Anna’s hummingbird eats more insects than any other North American hummingbird and is known to sing during courtship.

Blue-Throated Hummingbird

The Blue-Throated Hummingbird habituates montane forests, canyons, and riparian woodlands, mainly in Southeastern Arizona and Southwestern Texas. It is easily identified by its pair of white stripes on its face and gray underparts. The males additionally boast a dazzling sapphire gorget. Their singing and flight performance can also help identify this species during mating season.

Calliope Hummingbird

The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest long-distant migratory bird in the world and, unfortunately, a bird of conservation concern. It frequents mountain meadows, forest edges, and shrubby areas. This hummingbird feeds on nectar, flying insects, and tree sap. It is identified by its green body and square tail. The male additionally has a vibrant, colorful throat patch.

Allen’s Hummingbird

The Allen’s Hummingbird is tricky because it is actually two species- one migratory and one sedentary. It is, however, easy to distinguish from other hummingbird types due to the buzzing sound created by the furious flapping of its outer wings. This sounds similar to the sound of a bumble bee. It typically creates this sound when defending its territory or impressing a female. The Allen’s Hummingbird can also be identified by its rust-colored plumage and compact body shape.

Broad-billed Hummingbird

As implied by its name, the Broad-billed Hummingbird is best identified by its long, pointed red bill with a dash of black at the tip. Its plumage is metallic green and yellow in both males and females, while the male has a blue throat and the female has a white eye stripe. This hummingbird is unique as it is attracted to the sound of diurnal owls, a predator of small birds. The Broad-Billed Hummingbird will go on the defense and dive at the owl, a practice known as mobbing when done in groups.

Hummingbird Facts

Hummingbirds have more than just their good looks to get by on! There are countless interesting hummingbird facts. Here are a few to get you started.

-Hummingbirds can fly at speeds as high as 30 mph.

-Nectar is its primary food source. It also eats insects and tree sap, especially during breeding season.

-Hummingbirds are mostly independent animals and do not form strong social bonds.

-Hummingbirds can enter a state of torpor where they slow their metabolism and lower body temperature to adapt to changing environmental conditions

-It can fly backward (the only bird capable of doing this), rotate 180 degrees in a figure eight pattern 80 times per second, hover in place, and change direction quickly with pristine control.

-All types of hummingbirds are exclusive to the western hemisphere.

-The smallest bird in the world is the Bee Hummingbird. It is 2.25 inches in length and weighs 1.6 grams.

-Hummingbirds are the largest group of birds in the world with roughly 360 species.

-Sedona, Arizona holds a famous hummingbird festival celebrating these vibrant, fascinating creatures.

– It has adapted to a variety of climates, including desert, woodland, and tropical.

-Its wings beat sixty to eighty times per second.

-Hummingbirds cannot walk; they only scooch sideways or hop.

-It existed in Europe thirty million years ago, according to fossil findings. We don’t know why hummingbirds disappeared from this region.

-It eats twice its body weight daily.

Tags hummingbirds

Bird Behaviors Nesting Notes

Black-capped Chickadee Nesting Behaviors

Post author By Rhianna Quanstrom
Post date July 5, 2024
4 Comments on Black-capped Chickadee Nesting Behaviors

Sweet and lively, the Black-capped Chickadee is a favorite amongst birders. There are seven known species of chickadee in North America; the Black-capped, Boreal, Carolina, Chestnut-backed, Gray-headed, Mountain and the Mexican Chickadee.

As the Black-capped Chickadee is the most common and widespread of these species, we have been able to observe and learn a lot about it’s nesting behaviors.

A Nestbox Being Used By a Chickadee — Image by Wesley Barr via Flickr.

The Black-capped Chickadee are one of those rare birds that seem to be as intrigued by their human observers as the humans are by them. With their curious bravery, they will fly to a nearby branch to “inspect” the human inspecting them. For this reason and many others, they are a delight to witness in the wild and the backyard.

If you thought they were full of character already, just wait to hear about their nesting habits. But, before we dive into the nesting behaviors of Black-capped Chickadees, let’s familiarize ourselves a bit more with this beloved little bird.

Overview of the Black-capped Chickadee

The Black-capped Chickadee is a small and noisy bird. It’s safe to say that it could be one of the cutest birds in North America due to its tiny round body and head.

Their common name describes the black cap on their head, but they also have a black bib and white cheeks. A Black-capped Chickadee has a white belly with subtle tan feathers on either side, a grey back, and grey and black wings and tail marked with white streaks.

Black-capped Chickadee Close Up — Image by Mike Nolen via Flickr.

Their year-round range extends across the northern United States, from Oregon to New York. The furthest south their range extends is Colorado and northern New Mexico. Black-capped Chickadees avoid desert areas as they depend on shrubs and trees for food and shelter. They are found throughout most of Canada, except the far north.

Black-capped Chickadees are found in most areas with trees and shrubs. They are incredibly easy to attract to a bird feeder, as they thoroughly investigate their surroundings wherever they are. They aren’t picky about their food and will enjoy backyard songbird feed, sunflower seeds, suet, and peanuts.

Black-capped Chickadee Nesting Behaviors

In the fall, Black-capped Chickadee find their pair for the following breeding season. They stay together in a winter flock comprised of other chickadees as well as nuthatches, creepers, warblers, woodpeckers, and vireos.

In late winter, the flock breaks up and pairs search for nesting territory. The male feeds the female in a courtship display. Both search for a proper nesting cavity, and can choose up to five different nest sites. The female usually selects the final nesting site. Once a nest site is found, both the male and female defend the nesting site.

As cavity nesters, the Black-capped Chickadee will nest in excavated woodpecker holes or nest boxes. However, they often prefer to excavate their own nest by enlarging a small natural cavity in rotten alder or birch wood. Both sexes will participate in the excavation process.

Pro tip: If you wish to attract a Black-capped Chickadee breeding pair to your nestbox, consider filling your nestbox with wood shavings. As they prefer to excavate their nest cavity, this will entice them to select your nestbox.

You’ll also want to put your nestbox up before breeding season, around mid to late winter. Place your nestbox in a wooded area if you wish to discourage wrens from nesting in it. CornellLab’s ‘All About Birds’ recommends at least 60 feet into a wooded area.

Nest Construction

Once the female Black-capped Chickadee selects a properly excavated nest site, she will construct a cup nest. The nest is usually several inches below the entrance to protect the eggs and nestlings from predators such as possums, squirrels, and raccoons.

The nest is made with inner tree bark, moss, grass, and other fine materials. The final layer where the eggs are laid is lined with soft animal fur. This last layer of animal fur helps to keep the eggs warm and provides a comfortable place for the female to incubate her eggs.

Eggs

A female Black-capped Chickadee lays an average of 6-8 eggs. She will lay one egg daily and can lay up to 13 eggs in one clutch. The eggs are small (about 1.5 cm long and 1.2cm wide) and white with subtle reddish-brown dots. Black-capped Chickadees only lay one brood per year.

After the last or second to last egg is laid, the female incubates the eggs for about 12-13 days. She develops a brood patch by losing feathers on her breast. This soft and warm brood patch covers the eggs, helping to keep them warm during incubation. The male brings food to the female while she incubates the eggs.

Whenever the female Black-capped Chickadee leaves the nest, she covers the eggs with animal fur. This is probably to keep them warm and hidden from predators.

Nestlings

Black-capped Chickadees are born naked and blind (known as altricial). After a few days, they start developing feathers and can open their eyes around day 9. Their distinct black and white feathers grow in by day 11 (give or take).

During the first few days, the female spends much of her time in the nest keeping her nestlings warm. The male will bring both her and the young food. She gradually starts spending more time away from the nest, returning with food for the nestlings.

The Black-capped Chickadee nestlings are fed a protein-rich diet of fresh insects. Both the male and female keep the nest clean by removing the nestling’s fecal sacks.

Fledging

Black-capped Chickadees fledge the nest after about 12-16 days. At this point, they closely resemble their parents. They start to hover and perch at the nest entrance, eager to explore the world outside.

They leave the nest one by one and fly to nearby branches. At this point, they can only fly short distances and entirely depend on their parents for food. After about two weeks, the Black-capped Chickadee fledglings gain enough experience to find food independently and no longer need their parents.

Now it’s time for them to start a life away from their parents. The parents will purposely leave the fledglings if the young chickadees haven’t moved off on their own. By springtime the following year, the fledglings will be fully mature adults preparing a nest site of their own.

Tags chickadees, Nesting

Bird Behaviors Nesting Notes

Nesting Behaviors of Nuthatches in North America

Post author By Jack Emery
Post date July 1, 2024
2 Comments on Nesting Behaviors of Nuthatches in North America

In North America, four species of nuthatches can be found: the white-breasted, the red-breasted, the pygmy and the brown-headed nuthatch.

Nuthatches have a ‘work smarter, not harder’ attitude when it comes to nesting. They nest in pre-existing tree cavities, often those excavated by woodpeckers, securing a predator-free area to raise chicks.

A win-win for the nuthatch. A safe place to nest without expending lots of energy. Now that’s smart.

A White-breasted Nuthatch with a seed in its beak. — Image by Rockytopk9 via Flickr.

Read on to discover more about nuthatches and their unique nesting behaviors.

An Introduction to Nuthatches

Nuthatches are small, plump birds, no larger than a chickadee and somewhat resembling a woodpecker. They can be found in deciduous and coniferous forests.

Besides the red-breasted nuthatch, which, you guessed it, has a striking red breast, other nuthatch species across the US and Canada bear resemblance to one another.

They typically have an off-white underbelly, with blue-grayish plumage on top. Most have a distinctive black stripe on their head.

Although hard to spot in flight, their distinctive foraging behavior makes these birds relatively easy to identify from the ground.

Unlike treecreepers, which only move upwards on a tree, nuthatches can traverse both up and down the tree with ease.

What follows is how this species gets its common name.

Once a food source is located, often large nuts or acorns, the nuthatch will jam it into crevices within tree bark. By continuously hammering the wedged nut or similar with their sharp beak, they effectively “hatch” out the seed from within.

Nesting Behaviors

Right, into the nitty-gritty of nesting behaviors.

Each species of nuthatch in the US and Canada display slight variations in nesting behaviors.

So, we’re going to break them down by species.

1. Red-Breasted Nuthatch

A Red-breasted Nuthatch perched on a branch. — Image by Wesley Barr via Flickr.

A common sight at feeders, red-breasted nuthatches are a small and active species found across all of North America.

Although they are found across North America, they only breed in the Western mountains of the USA and woodland in Southern Canada.

Like all nuthatches, the red-breasted nuthatch is a secondary cavity nesting bird.

And, whilst using the cavity of a previous tenant is a great way to save energy, they are in hot demand.

To reduce competition from conspecifics, the red-breasted nuthatch collects resin globules from pine trees and smears it around the entrance of their nesting hole.

Like a builder using a plastering trowel, this bird uses tree bark to apply the sticky resin.

Males plaster the resin around the outside, whilst females coat the inside of the nesting cavity. The natural adhesive coating prevents any unsuspecting intruders from getting into the nest. The red-breasted nuthatch, on the other hand, can dive straight into the hole without covering themselves with the resin. Clever.

If this tactic doesn’t work, the red-breasted nuthatch actively chases away other secondary cavity nesters that stray too close to its nest.

2. White-Breasted Nuthatch

A White-breasted Nuthatch perched on a branch. — Image by Larry Reis via Flickr.

Another common garden feeder, the white-breasted nuthatch is an energetic bird with an appetite for insects.

In late-winter, courtship displays begin.

To attract a female, a male raises its head, spreads its tail feathers and begins a series of sways and bows. If a female likes what she sees, copulation will begin and the pair may mate for life.

The white-breasted nuthatch has a tendency to nest in old woodpecker cavities. However, when secondary cavities are limited, it may excavate its own nest. This is energetically costly, and can take a female up to 18 days to create.

Once a suitable cavity is found or created, the female will begin building the nest from within. Using a variety of natural materials, such as pine needles, animal fur, grass and shredded bark, she’ll line the cavity ready for egg laying.

To ward off predators, both male and female white-breasted nuthatches have been observed sweeping noxious insects close to the entrance of their cavity. The chemical secretions given off by the insects help repel predators.

3. Pygmy Nuthatch

A young Pygmy Nuthatch begging to its parent. — Image by Jim Moodie via Flickr.

The pygmy nuthatch takes the crown for being the smallest nuthatch species in the whole world.

Yet, despite its small size of just a few inches, it is an incredibly active bird. They are mostly spotted racing up and down the trunks of ponderosa pines across mountainous regions of Western North America.

Due to their small size, it isn’t uncommon to see up to 15 pygmy nuthatches roosting in the same cavity.

They are cooperative breeders, meaning more than two birds help with the rearing of chicks from one nest. For pygmy nuthatches, an additional 1 – 3 helpers can often be observed.

Oftentimes, helper pygmy nuthatches are the breeding pair’s own offspring from the previous years.

The helpers defend the nest from predators. To do this, they may sway threateningly from side to side, or even cover the cavity entrance with their own body to minimize detection. The helpers also feed the incubating females and chicks.

Another function the helper birds carry out is the facilitation of nest excavation. Whilst they can create their own cavities, pygmy nuthatches often alter and adapt existing holes.

Once a hole is excavated, both the male and the female, sometimes assisted by their offspring from previous years, will bring lining materials such as bark fibers, plant down and feathers.

4. Brown-Headed Nuthatch

A Brown-headed Nuthatch perched on a branch. — Image by Anttanager via Flickr.

Found only in the Southeastern pine forests of the U.S, the brown-headed nuthatch has a distinct rubber duck-like call.

This small bird shares traits with other nuthatch species. For example, they can excavate their own nests from the soft, rotting wood of trees. These cavities are usually no higher than 10 feet off the ground.

If suitable nesting sites are not available, the brown-headed nuthatch will successfully nest in artificial nest boxes.

To waterproof these nests, they fill crevices with plant material, such as leaves and grasses.

The brown-headed nuthatch is also a cooperative breeder, enlisting the help of helper birds, typically younger males, to help raise and care for the young.

In the breeding season, these birds are fiercely territorial. Being monogamous, potentially remaining with one partner their entire lives, pairs readily defend their nest against potential threats.

Final Thoughts

Nuthatches, though similar in appearance, have adapted their nesting behaviors to the environment they’re nesting in.

Some species, such as the red-breasted nuthatch, use pine resin to ensure the safety of their nests.

Other species, such as the pygmy and brown-headed nuthatch, enlist “helpers” to increase chick survival rates.

Whilst most nuthatch species choose to nest in cavities formed by other birds, such as woodpeckers, they can also adapt to nesting within artificial bird boxes.

So, to increase nesting success rates, add a bird box and a feeder to your backyard.

Tags Nesting, nuthatches

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