Subject: Steller's nesting materials
Date: May 17 13:26:04 2002
From: Caratfeathers at aol.com - Caratfeathers at aol.com
I just observed a pair of Stellar's Jays gathering nesting material. I
watched them tug up grass roots then scoop them up along with some mud and
decaying leaves. They flew off towards the tall pines on the far side of the
ravine. I figured they must be masons rather than weavers so I checked my
copy of A Guide to the Nests, Eggs and Nestlings of NA Birds by Baicich and
Harrison. Sure enough! They definitely use these materials to complete
their nests. Baicich and Harrison's description of Steller's Jay nests is
as follows:
" A cup of twigs, usually with dead leaves (and often paper) in base, lined
with mud, and with an inner lining of fine rootlets, and sometimes pine
needles, hair or grasses. Built by both sexes...."
It was neat to actually watch part of the process!
Judy Rowe Taylor
Mukilteo, WA
caratfeathers at aol.com
"I am life which wills to live in the midst of life which wills to live." -
Albert Schweitzer
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