Where to Raise a Family - As a Bird?
Not all birds make nests out of twigs and leaves; instead, some birds like a proper house to live in and raise a family. These birds, called cavity-nesters, have two types. The birds that build their own houses by hollowing a tree or by digging a hole in rocks/dirt mounds are called primary cavity-nesting birds. The birds that use the cavities and holes deserted by other cavity-nesters are called the secondary cavity-nesting birds. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, and wrens are some common examples of cavity-nesting birds.
Custom-Built or Preowned House?
Primary cavity-nesters like to build their houses from scratch according to their own needs. They first pick a suitable location that is safe and has access to the necessary resources. Then they build their houses with the dimensions and layout that fulfills their needs. For example, some species like to have a small entry hole to deter predators from getting inside.
The secondary cavity-nesting birds, on the other hand, keep an eye out for an empty house built by the primary cavity-nesters or just find a natural cavity in trees or other structures. That’s because they don’t have the strong beaks to hollow a tree or dig a hole. They don’t usually make changes to these “preowned houses” and just start living in the cavities in whatever conditions they are available.
There are approximately 50 species of cavity-dwelling birds in Canada according to Nature Conservancy Canada. Have you seen a cavity-nesting bird in your area? Let us know in the comments below!
Want to take your outdoor exploration adventures to the next level?
Observing various types of birds is an excellent outdoor activity for summer. We have included birdwatching cards in our “Out of the Box Outdoor Science” kit to get kids excited about birds and learn about their habitat.
Kids will also get to explore leaves, campfires, bugs, animal poop, tornadoes, microorganisms, sunshine, and stars.
Know more about the “Out of the Box Outdoor Science” kit here:
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