A pair of Nectarinia jugularis or Yellow-Breasted Sunbirds (also known as Olive-backed Sunbirds) have been busy building a nest underneath the pergola out in my courtyard.
They have chosen a spot right over the stairway leading down under the pergola to the courtyard garden. Can you spot it hanging like a chandelier from the cross-beam of the pergola?
It's mainly been the female building the nest, but I have seen the male flying in and out as well. I'm assuming he's helping, although perhaps he's just checking that everything is to his satisfaction. Anyway, they have been using all sorts of materials, like feathers, pieces of paper, pieces of bark, grasses and leaves, to create the spindle-shaped nest hanging off a Petrea volubilis vine.
Sunbird nests are quite distinctive. They're long and pendulous, with a long trail of material hanging from the bottom. But what's more fascinating to me, is the little extension added onto the entrance. A little hood is attached over the entry and it's rather like a little porch roof to me.
Here are the before and after shots.
Before the porch roof ...
... and after. It seems they've also added a lovely soft, fluffy 'welcome' mat!
I'm joining Mary for Mosaic Monday
It is so cool. I like the little welcome mat that was added. Hope you have a great week Bernie.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love that little fluffy welcome mat!!!! Thanks Jen, I'm now looking forward to the end of term and the school break.
DeleteFascinating! And you got such great shots of the nest building and the final result. I love the porch overhang and the fluffy entrance ramp, so stylish and functional : )
ReplyDeleteLaurrie, who would have thought that birds would love a little porch!! I just think it's wonderful.
DeleteSuch an interesting nest to see. I hope they will be happy there. How is everything this year after the last years hurricanes? Valerie
ReplyDeleteVal, thanks for asking, and yes everything is doing very well here finally after the cyclone early last year. I actually don't cringe when I walk around here these days. Most of the ugly spots have now gone, and the garden is starting to look OK once more.
DeleteYou are awesome for showing these shots! I'm so curious about these birds but I've never seen them before. I even type in the name on the google machine and it's not clear what I'm looking at....so thanks for the explanations on the nest and their habits. Very interesting birds and I imagine there's many varieties of them as well. Hope you have a good week!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the shots, Rohrerbot. I've now added the scientific name of these lovely birds to the post as I know there are many Sunbirds out there. These particular ones are found in north-eastern Australia and Southern Asia.
DeleteThat's fascinating! Both my husband and I have had a little chuckle over this story and have enjoyed seeing a nest so unique to us. He suggests that the last thing added is a landing pad, but I think a welcome mat sounds better.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you both enjoyed the post, Vee. Landing pad is probably right, or launching pad for the young ones when they're ready to take off!
DeleteBeautiful weavers. The birds and their nest. xo Jenny
ReplyDeleteIt's an amazing feat. Thanks Jenny.
DeleteI think it is so cool that the sunbirds built their nest in your garden. It is a neat nest, kind of like our Oriole nest. I would be so excited to be able to watch their progress. Great shots, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed all goes well, and I get to see some little ones soon.
DeleteI love the new addition! The little porch and welcome mat are brilliant the little sunbirds obviously appreciate their surroundings to make such a cute little house. It's going to be interesting to watch the arrival of eggs and then chicks one thing springs to mind Webcam!
ReplyDeleteI'm really hoping I get to see the little baby birds, Sueb. Unfortunately there are other birds around that make a habit of destroying the Sunbird nest, and then of course there are the snakes which like to eat the eggs.
DeleteThe new addition is wonderful and that little fluffy mat our front is the perfect touch.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week ~ FlowerLady
Thanks Flowerlady. I really love that fluffy mat!
DeleteI'm looking forward to your posts about these birds in the coming months. It is fascinating how birds build and structure their nests.
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique nest Bernie. Nature has some of the most amazing elements.I always marvel at such things like these and even a spider web in their construction. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThat is the coolest bird's nest ever! And some beautiful birds who built it! Enjoy the show!
ReplyDeleteWow that is amazing like it!
ReplyDeleteKim,USA
how amazing how they have built their nest there. They obviously feel at home! For several years we had some little birds nesting in one of my hanging baskets, and then sadly one year they didn't come back. I missed them. Have a wonderful week Bernie. How is the weather treating you in Queensland. We have had a dry winter over here in WA, following a dry summer.
ReplyDeleteG'Day Bernie. I see the little sunbirds have finished with their nest complete with porch and door mat. Quite clever little birds! I would think that the snakes would take their toll on bird populations there but it seems they cant get them all which is a very good thing. I hope you will be able to see the babies as they grow and mature.
ReplyDeleteThat is one amazing bird...I love that nest...
ReplyDeleteOh I loved it when we had a little sunbird family growing outside our study window - such fun!
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome to see, and now you will have a chance to feast your eyes on those beautiful visitors!
ReplyDeleteAlways interesting and your images share how intricate the beauty of the Weaver's nests~
ReplyDeleteI know I say it every time but I love your garden!!! What an interesting nest. It's very different from anything I've seen.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, we have been to Roma Street Parklands quite a bit. I have a specialist appointment in the city very close by every Wednesday and I always take my camera with me. I visit the parklands regularly and other places close by :)
An amazing construction. Nature never ceases to be awesome.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the fluffy welcome mat! Birds are a lot smarter than we give them credit for.
ReplyDeletedear Bernie, this is awesome - I really need to learn extra superlatives for posts like this one. What a wonderful thing - to be able to watch it all close up. I was thrilled to bits when 2 blackbirds nested on our deck, and I know we shouldn't be competitive - but this nest is about a million times better!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is really cool! Wow! Those birds are beautiful. Awesome post indeed.
ReplyDeleteNoelle @ Cheap Sheds PTY LTD
How unique and interesting that nest is, and great that they made it right there where you can watch all the activity. Nature is so amazing!
ReplyDelete