Nest Making
Nest Making
How to Make a Nest
Important Points
Birds should be comfortable and snug in the nest
The bottom of the nest should have some texture to allow bird feet to grip somethingÂ
The size of the nest may have to be adjusted for smaller AND/OR fewer birds
See example below of what happens with an improperly made nest
Note: Video contains no audio
How to Make a Nest That Can Vary in Size
Important Points
Size the nest to the number and size of the occupants
Nest should be snug so that the bird's legs can be kept comfortably underneath its body and not splayed to either side
The depth of the nest should allow the bird to comfortably lift its rear and poop out of the nest
You can adjust the amount of cushion and height of the bottom of the nest with crumpled toilet paper
There is no ONE right way to make a nest but there are things to avoid
AVOID
Flat piece of toilet paper at the bottom which has no grip and is slippery and causes the bird's legs to slide around
Snug Nest
Multiple birds can fill a larger nests and provide support and warmth for each other
Singlet birds can be made comfortable in a larger nest by making the toilet paper support smaller to fit the size of the bird
Example of an Improper Nest
Notice that the bottom of the nest is completely flat and slippery with nothing for the bird's feet to push against.
This bird is using a lot of energy to scrabble and find purchase in its nest. This nest is too big for a singlet. The flat piece of toilet paper at the bottom is slippery and has no texture and doesn't allow it's feet to grip.
Even at rest, this bird's legs are splayed to either side. Without more support, this bird can develop permanently splayed legs and won't be able to stand properly.
