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When it comes to building a nest, birds use a wide variety of tactics and materials. Some birds, such as puffin, burrow into the ground or occupy abandoned rabbit dens. Others, like the bald eagle, build giant nests in tall trees that offer views of the surrounding landscape. Some, such as the emperor penguin, do not build nests at all, but simply plant eggs on their feet. Those birds that prefer to build nests do so from a wide variety of materials. They usually use plants and herbs that can be found in their habitat. Twigs, grass, moss, lichen, rocks, and even paper can end up in a bird’s nest. Birds use these materials to protect their eggs from predators. However, some birds choose to use one of nature’s finest building materials. These are birds that build nests from mud or use mud to build their nests.
In this article, we will learn how several species of birds use mud to build their nests. From tiny songbirds to large wading birds, these species each use mud in their own way. Hopefully, next time you see one of these birds in the wild, you will see one of their mud nests. So let’s get started and discuss 6 different birds that build mud nests.
# 6: Cliff Swallow
The Cliff Swallow, also known as the American Rock Swallow, is a songbird of the Hirundinidae swallow and marting family. Rocky Swallows breed throughout North America and winter in South America. On average, they are about 5 inches long, with short beaks and long, pointed wings. Their plumage is dark brown, with white forehead and belly and red cheeks. The cliff swallow gets its name from the habit of building a nest along rocks or the sides of buildings. Cliff Swallows nest in large colonies that can contain thousands of individual birds. Together they build pumpkin-shaped nests and can stack them on top of each other. To build their nests, they carry mud and clay in their beaks back to their nesting site. Since the process is very time consuming, pairs of rock martins can reuse the same nest year after year.
# 5: Rufus Hornero
The ginger gornero, or red stove-maker, is a member of the Furnadriidae family of liver birds. Endemic to South America, reddish gornero live in shrubs, fields, farmland, and grassy plains. They are typically 7 to 8 inches long and have a slender, curved beak that they use to feed insects. The ginger hornero gets its name from its reddish brown coloration and its habit of building a “nest in the oven.” In spanish, bake means oven, which describes the shape of its nest. Like other ovenbirds, the red-haired gornero builds a domed nest, suspiciously reminiscent of a brick oven. During the breeding season, males and females together build a large nest of clay. It usually takes only a few days to create a nest, but it can take several months. Both parents take turns building the nest, incubating the eggs and feeding the young.
# 4: Eastern Phoebe
The Eastern Fiba is a tiny songbird from the Tyrannidae family of tyrannical flycatchers. It gets its name from Diana, the Roman goddess of the moon, also called Phoebe. As its name suggests, the Eastern Fiba is found throughout the eastern half of North America. They are usually 5.5 to 6.7 inches long. The eastern phoebe has a large head, gray-brown back, whitish belly and throat. You can often find the open cupped nest of the eastern phoebe on the sides of buildings, bridges, or other human structures. They build their nests out of mud and then line the inside with grass and moss. Both male and female take turns feeding their chicks, which feed on insects, fruits and berries. However, eastern phoebes are often targeted by brown-headed cowsheds, which lay their eggs in other birds’ nests.
# 3: Purple Martin
The purple martin is another member of the Hirundinidae swallow and martin family. The largest swallow in North America, the purple martin is 7.5 to 7.9 inches long. It gets its name from its distinctive color, which distinguishes it from other swallows and martins. Although technically dark blue rather than purple, its iridescent feathers can appear purple in certain lighting conditions. Known for their agility and acrobatics, purple martinas can trap insects, such as mosquitoes, right in the air. During the breeding season, males and females together choose a suitable nesting place. Purple Martins build their nests in hollows and use artificial houses, pumpkins or tree hollows. They build their nests from mud, twigs and small stones, as well as shells. They then line the inside with soft grass and leaves to soften the eggs.
# 2: Black-billed Magpie
The black-billed magpie, also known as the American magpie, belongs to the Corvidae family. Black-billed magpies are found in the central and western United States, central and western Canada, and southern Alaska. On average, they are 18 to 24 inches long, with their tail accounting for nearly half of their total length. Their thick plumage looks black and white and also has iridescent blue spots on the tail and wings. They build their nests in trees, usually in open grasslands or in urban areas. Like other corvids, they live together, especially in winter, and often mate for life. Black-billed magpies build domed nests on tree tops. The bottom half of the nest is made of mud, twigs, grass, twigs, leaves, and other plant materials. Meanwhile, the upper half is formed by loose splicing of twigs. In total, it can take up to 50 days to create a nest.
# 1: flamingos
The flamingo is a wading bird in the Phoenicopteriformes family, of which it is the only surviving member. Flamingos live all over the world, and you can find them in the Americas, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Europe. They can range from 2.6 to 4.7 feet in length and weigh from 5.5 to 7.7 pounds. In Spanish,
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he term “flamingos” translates to “fiery”, which indicates their unique color. They range from light pink to red and get their color from beta-carotene and bacteria in their diet. Both females and males build their own nests, which they will aggressively defend. Their nests are built on mudflats and are shaped like mounds. These mounds, made of mud, stones, straw, and feathers, can reach 12 inches in height. At the top of the hill there is a small depression in which the female lays a single egg.
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