Found a large bird's nest: Whodunnit?!

[Niall]

A large bird's nest (biggest I've ever seen, up close!) recently dropped from one of our trees. The opening alone is 20cm by 20cm. The walls are made from mud/clay. There were no egg shell pieces inside, so I don't think it was 'occupied' this Spring. There were even more sticks and branches in its outer rings before I picked it up and carried it back to the house. Can anyone identify which species or type of bird likely made it?

 

[KristinLynne]

I'm not sure what native birds you have in your area but hawks, owls and vultures have pretty big nest here. In the winter it is easier to see them still in the trees even though they are usually empty.

 

[Iain]

My guess would be carrion crows from the size and appearance. They are usually over 20cm deep and over 60cm across in total. Twig surrounding looks unfinished if it was crows - which may be why it fell. If was in use with eggs inside, the nest part would likely have been lined with whatever soft stuff they could find (feathers, moss, fabric) which it isn't, so yeah, probably not used.

 

[Z...]

Can anyone identify which species or type of bird likely made it?

I cannot be 100% sure but material and size would be consistent with magpie nest

 

[Carl]

Looks like a crow nest. Impressive use of clay and well sculpted. The birds there must be super smart!

 

[Z...]

My guess would be carrion crows from the size and appearance.

They rarely use mud to build the nest. Here is a typical example of carrion crow's nest

 

[Iain]

I cannot be 100% sure but material and size would be consistent with magpie nest

Yeah, could well be - very similar to a crow's nest, but magpies often use mud and clay more than crows and don't always line it as well as a crow would.

Both species also have territorial disputes (quite vicious with magpies) through spring, which could be why it was unused and maybe unfinished.

 

[solarmind]

Definitely a beautiful piece of natural "architecture"! We have a european turtle dove nest in this "ambushed" tree on my photo, transfered from one recently cutted pine tree that was just next to this one.

We planned to cut this tree last autumn as it can fall at any moment, but no one come to do it, and no one continue ot be upsett by thta, so tree was left in peace and they used it for a new nest. We have had them for years, but it is impossible to see the nest, as before same as now. But we regularly see two of them how they are coming in and out.

This chateau nest looks almost 30cm in diameter, can be of some kind of bird of that size like a dove? I found this image of their nests, and illustrations from the 19th century of the nests ... you have clay-like soil on your property ... any way beautiful work of nature!

 

[solarmind]

and just clicked on tweeter and stumble upon this ... indeed those are also some of the supernatural "options" ...

 

[Niall]

I cannot be 100% sure but material and size would be consistent with magpie nest

That looks like a match.

The 'lowly' magpie.

I was hoping it belonged to a big bird of prey! We have buzzards and falcons around here.

I'm amazed that even relatively small birds can build such structurally sound brick walls.

 

[Z...]

The 'lowly' magpie.

What i would give to have magpies around. Totally awesome birds. Unfortunately now they are extinct on my island.

 

[Wandering Star]

What i would give to have magpies around. Totally awesome birds. Unfortunately now they are extinct on my island.

The other day I saw two magpies flying next to a hawk. In full flight they harassed the falcon and it gradually moved away.

They probably had their nest nearby and were defending it.

It was quite impressive to see.

 

[Niall]

What i would give to have magpies around. Totally awesome birds. Unfortunately now they are extinct on my island.

I'll tell them that Z says 'hi' next time I see one!

 

[loreta]

Looks like a crow nest. Impressive use of clay and well sculpted. The birds there must be super smart!

The birds and some more then others, are the Gaudi's of Nature!