Nesting Chores and Wars, Part 1 - Diversity at Work

Much of the conspicuous activity of birds in spring leads up to the establishment of family circumstances for perpetuating themselves and their species. They have to find a desirable mate, and a nesting place to rear their brood.

Black-capped Chickadee excavating a nesting cavity...

Birds choose diverse opportunities for nesting. Some work harder than others.  

...and removing wood pulp.

While some Chickadees occupy or improve ready-made tree cavities this pair has started excavating from scratch for their homestead in a punky birch tree trunk.

Tree Swallow gathering nesting material

Tree Swallows, fabulous aerialists, put their feet on the ground to collect material for weaving into a nest.

Barn Swallows gathered at a mud puddle

Their close relative the Barn Swallow uses masonry more than weaving skills to build its nest on the sheer side of a wall.

Ready to head to the barn

Mud is the Barn Swallow's principal construction material, carried home a mouthful at a time.

Kingbird finds a nest-lining prize

Many birds add a soft lining to the framework of their nests.

This Brown Thrasher has captured and held two worms, so far

Until the fledglings can forage on their own the parents forego swallowing tasty morsels to feed the hungry mouths back at the nest.

Eastern Phoebe bringing home a meal

They try to make these trips industriously but cautiously to avoid giving away the nest location to possible predators.

Red-winged Blackbird driving away a Crow

They will attack predatory threats with furious quick maneuvers in defense of their habitation.

The fighter closes in

In some species the male keeps guard while the female broods the eggs. Both may take turns bringing food to the young.

A pair of Kingbirds beside their nest

These Eastern Kingbirds perch by their treetop abode with a look of satisfied vigilance.