Birds do not lack the resources to
make their nests
, rudimentary or elaborate.
Some spend time building it, while others are content to collect simple twigs.
To discover
True or false: fight against misconceptions about the garden
What is bird nesting?
The term
nesting
comes from the verb to nest.
Nesting consists of building a nest.
For
birds
, nesting involves creating a space in which they can lay and incubate their eggs.
However, birds are not the only ones who build nests.
Indeed, reptiles, like the tortoise, the snake and the lizard, do it too.
The nesting instinct in birds begins after courtship displays in males.
The pairs formed then begin nesting and laying eggs.
A nest serves as a nursery for the birds.
Depending on the species, female and male share the brood and feed the chicks, which remain in the nest until they fledge.
Read alsoThe shape of the egg, a story of wings
When is the nesting period for birds?
The
nesting period
varies from one species to another, and from one region of the world to another.
For many species in mainland France, the nesting period extends from
mid-March to mid-August
.
When the days get longer, the temperatures are more favorable and the food is more abundant, the birds have what they need to nest.
However, the nesting period depends in part on the weather conditions.
If it is too cold or food is scarce, some birds, such as the Tawny and the Turkish Dove, will wait to start nesting.
Some birds, such as the crossbill, may have a very flexible nesting period and begin nest building in the fall.
How are the nests built?
The shape, materials used and location are unique to each species of bird.
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There is a
great diversity of nests
in our gardens, parks and forests.
The shape, materials used and location are unique to each species of bird.
Nests are usually made from natural materials that birds collect.
Twig | Mousse |
Grass | Leaf |
Cotton | Oldest boy |
Straw | Feather |
Animal hair | Wood chips |
Earth | Spider web |
Finally, if all the birds lay eggs, not all of them build a nest.
The peregrine falcon, for example, uses abandoned nests to deposit its eggs.
The cuckoo takes advantage of the brood of another species to lay eggs in the same nest.
And others, like the titmouse, are content to find a quiet and secure place, such as a hole in a tree, a cavity or even a human construction (roof, garage, etc.)
Read alsoHow to take care of birds during the winter?
Where are the nests built?
Each species of bird builds its nest in a place of its own.
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Tree, hedge, roof or even on the ground, each species of bird builds its nest in a place of its own.
Some birds, such as the common curlew or snipe, lay their eggs on the ground and build their nests with some algae, driftwood and shells.
Others, such as the blackbird or the lark, build their nests high up using grasses, stems and pieces of bark.
Finally, some species such as chickadees and sparrows sometimes build very basic nests in cavities.
Read also5 birds to watch in your garden in winter
How to help birds to make their nests?
You can make nesting boxes and set them up high up to protect them from predators.
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To build their nests, birds use all kinds of
natural materials.
To make it easier for them, you can make these materials available in your garden: pieces of straw, twigs, pieces of cotton and even pillow feathers.
Some birds, like the swallow, need soil to consolidate their nests.
Leave a few clods of damp soil on the ground.
If you have pets, brush them and collect their hair to place them in your garden near trees or even on branches.
You can also install birdhouses.
Hang them high up, away from predators.
Nest boxes will allow certain species, such as the titmouse, to establish their nests in your garden.
Plant sides, you can plant shrubs with plenty of berries.
They will allow the birds to feed during the nesting period.
Finally during this period, the birds need to recharge their batteries.
To help them, you can install bird feeders in your garden.
Read alsoGarden birds: there is still time to install nesting boxes
How to protect birds during the nesting period?
Nesting is an important and demanding job for the birds.
It is also a time when they are very vulnerable.
Thus, in order not to disturb or dislodge the birds during this delicate period,
the French Biodiversity Office
(OFB) recommends not to prune the hedges from March to July and to wait for the last flight of the young.
Read alsoHedge: size, maintenance, regulations
Since the decree of April 24, 2015 relating to the rules of good agricultural and environmental conditions, farmers have been prohibited from trimming hedges from April 1 to July 31.
This regulation was made to preserve the birds during their nesting period.
