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Post by Hezz on Oct 13, 2013 1:32:51 GMT
Our gorgeous sunbirds are busy getting themselves ready for eggs. It has taken Mrs Sunbird only 3-4 days to get this far: She has decided to build this year on the rope that was part of Mac the dog's run - some idea of how close it is to his kennel: These nests are ingenious pieces of architecture. Note the little "roof" over the opening. She will tidy the roof up before the eggs are laid; the nest is still in the building stage. And here is the busy girl adding pieces bit by little bit:
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Apr 21, 2012 20:15:21 GMT
marleen4
Normal Green
Posts: 334
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Post by marleen4 on Oct 13, 2013 2:12:29 GMT
Impressive to the max; how did we ever think we could beat mother nature???
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Post by stace on Oct 13, 2013 3:24:51 GMT
Oh, that is amazing. We don't get those sunbirds down in Sydney. At least, not the city.
What material is she using to make the nest? And how is that all sticking together? It's fascinating.
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Post by lemonade on Oct 13, 2013 6:15:36 GMT
I think it's amazing how birds build their nests. Earlier this year I watched 2 swans build a huge nest on the bank of the river right below our window. They were so focused and hardworking like this little sunbird seems to be. You should use this thread to do updates on sunbirds progress, hopefully through to egg / chick stage
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Post by OP on Oct 13, 2013 7:40:19 GMT
Absolutely fascinating. Just to think that a little bird like that can be so industrious is astounding. I Know there are many, many species of animal that do these things. Yet we as humans think we are cleverer than they are. Thanks Hezz.
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Post by mizloco on Oct 13, 2013 8:35:20 GMT
What a beautiful clever little bird.
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Post by birdguhl on Oct 13, 2013 8:49:39 GMT
How fantastic - really look forward to more on this story!
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Post by samwiseg on Oct 13, 2013 9:13:22 GMT
This is MARVELLOUS! And we think we are the smart ones knowing how to build
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Post by Hezz on Oct 13, 2013 21:22:44 GMT
The nest is made up of pieces of different types of bark, all very thin, the brown lumpy bits are remnants of the saraka flowers, there looks like there may be bits of dog hair, but on a closer look I don't think so. It is a kind of silky thread, not unlike a spiders web ....... I wonder whether she has stolen bits of web? I must add the while Mrs was busy getting the nest in order, Mr was acting as look-out. I saw him perched up in a strategic place and sounding the alarm if necessary. I am really hoping that this nest being where it is, right above Mac's kennel, will have a good chance of making it the whole way to chicks leaving the nest. Butcher birds are the biggest problem, and we have lost quite a few nests and chicks just when the chicks are big enough to make a feed. I saw mum late yesterday go into the nest, but think maybe she was just trying it for size! I will definitely keep everyone posted on how we get on.
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Post by skysmum on Oct 13, 2013 21:24:08 GMT
Oh this is beautiful, what a feat of engineering, but what a place to build it , could mac jump up to get it.
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Post by stace on Oct 13, 2013 21:29:48 GMT
It's the webbing that is quite curious. I wonder how she's done that? Has she got some sort of 'glue' as well?
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Post by skysmum on Oct 13, 2013 21:33:10 GMT
I was thinking along those lines stace. I wonder if they use saliva to stick it together, its just amazing.
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Post by stace on Oct 13, 2013 21:35:55 GMT
I was thinking along those lines stace. I wonder if they use saliva to stick it together, its just amazing. It's like papier mache, with webbing as well. Most strange.
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Post by skysmum on Oct 13, 2013 21:44:56 GMT
It def looks as if they are using spider's web's, maybe they weave it altogether with this.
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Post by skysmum on Oct 13, 2013 21:50:02 GMT
Just had a little google, and they are spider hunters and will use the web's , clever little birds.
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