Function of nests:

1) Support for adult and eggs

2) Mate attraction – Weaver birds marsh wren

3) Female stimulation

4) ThermoregulationA) Insulation – ducks and down

B) Microsite selection – cactus wren

5) Decrease predation- Major source of nest loss A) Nest predators

How to Avoid Predation?

1) Crypsis of eggs or parent

2) Location – Cliffs, islands Floating nests Cavities Thin Tree Limbs

3) Safety in Numbers - Coloniality

4) Deception yellow-rumped thornbill

5) “Hired Gun” tropical wrens

burrowers

Rough-wingedAnd Bank Swallows

Nest variation type in swallows (O Passeriformes, F Hirundinidae)

Secondary cavity nestersTreeSwallow

Violet-green Swallow

Mud nests

Cup nest

Barn Swallows

Retort mud nest - Cliff and Cave Swallows

Genetic analysis reveals evolutionary relationships reflected by nests

Apodiformes- swifts - convergent on swallows but related to hummers!

Cave dwelling swiflets of SE Asiabirds that think they are batsEcholocating, insectivorous cave dwellers

Apodiformes-Edible (White-nest) and Black-nest Swiftlets

Double “echo click”

Verdin Common Bushtit

Fig 16-6 and 16-7

Nest building is bothInnateand refined throughlearning

African Weaver birdsF Ploceidae

F Icteridae - Oropendolas

Orioles