nesting

The nest-building skills of the female Rufous Hummingbird are amazing. She first weaves a cup of soft, fluffy plant material, then envelops it with moss and binds it with strands of spider web. The final touch: a layer of lichen flakes to provide perfect camouflage. A favorite nest site is the... read more »

University of Washington professor Dee Boersma is concerned about Galapagos Penguins because of the increased frequency of El Nino. So Dee's team and their partners at the Galapagos National Park recently built about 120 "penguin condos." These are lava burrows near the coast, most between half a... read more »

Because cell towers stretch high above surrounding trees and buildings, they sometimes offer perfect nesting sites for Ospreys, large brown and white birds of prey. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Osprey nests are protected, even on cell towers. They winter in Mexico and Central America. You... read more »

In early spring, a male flicker may drum on a metal stovepipe or other resonant surface to attract a mate and proclaim his territory. This doesn't damage your house. If your flicker is drilling for food, you'd better check for carpenter ants or other insects! A flicker may also be excavating a... read more »