Protective Nesting Associations: the predator next door

  • An alligator and a Snowy Egret enjoying a swampy area.
    Protective Nesting Associations: the predator next door

    Sometimes building a nest near predators can be a good thing! Let’s explore the different ways some birds take advantage of nesting near to animals that are a few steps higher up on the food chain—in other words, their predators’ predator.

  • eNews March 2026

    – The Hidden World of Nests and Eggs
    – Join Us for Nest Trivia
    – New NestWatch Chapter
    – Data Win

  • Four images, clockwise from upper left: A grid of photos of bluebirds with insects in their beaks; a close-up view of the face of a fox-like mammal with pale gray fur and large dark eyes; a small yellow songbird perched on a wooden nest box, singing its heart out; and a wren perched on the roof of a nest box with a large spider in its beak.
    eNews February 2026

    – Hungry Hungry Bluebirds
    – A Mystery Mammal
    – New NestWatch Chapters
    – Data Win

  • A bluebird perched on the roof of a wooden nest box, with a green caterpillar in its beak.
    To Support Nesting Eastern Bluebirds, Plant Native

    When it comes to feeding baby birds, some prey species are the ideal superfoods. That’s why Eastern Bluebirds feed caterpillars to their nestlings 40% of the time—they’re rich in protein, fats, and vitamins! But birds need our help to reverse insect declines and turn “food deserts” into “food oases.” Read on to learn how you can help bring back the insects…so birds can feed them to their young.

  • Four images, clockwise from upper left: a shot from inside a tree cavity looking out at a landscape and the head of a nuthatch peeking inside; a bluebird nestling that looks ready to fledge sitting in the entrance of a wooden nest box; an adult bluebird feeding a fledgling while they are both perched on a thin twig; six white eggs in a grassy nest that has been lined with gray feathers.
    eNews January 2026

    – Woodpecker Holes, Community Homes 
    – Open Dataset Refresh
    – New NestWatch Chapters
    – Data Influx

  • Four images, clockwise from upper left: A Bearded Vulture perched on a rocky cliffside with green vegetation behind it; a nest box with a metal cone baffle installed in a snowy landscape at sunset; A sleek white seabird with a yellowish head and black and gray facial markings sitting on a nest of green vegetation and accepting more vegetation from its mate; an adult male bluebird feeding a begging female on top of a small stump.
    eNews December 2025

    – Old Nests Reveal Ancient Ecology
    – Season’s Greetings from NestWatch
    – New Tenneseee Chapters
    – Year-end Request

  • An adult Bearded Vulture perched on a rocky cliffside among some vegetation.
    Old Nests Reveal Ancient Ecology

    Bird nests come in all shapes and sizes, some lasting for a season, while others last years, decades, or even centuries! A recent study on Bearded Vultures takes a fascinating look into their ancient nests that are still in use and the items found within that helped researchers determine how long they’ve been present in the environment. These discoveries highlight a valuable insight into our biocultural history and how we can shape future conservation goals.

  • Clockwise from upper left: a garden in front of a house with several native wildflowers; a grassy nest on top of a mossy green nest inside of a wooden nest box; a Purple Martin perched on top of a structure with its wings outstretched; a Red-tailed Hawk perched at it's twiggy nest that has been built on an industrial structure.
    eNews October 2025

    – Fall Gardening for Spring Nesting
    – How to Report Nest Takeovers by Other Birds
    – New Chapter in NYC!
    – Bulk Upload Update

  • a nest box mounted on a pole that has been installed in a field of native plants. There is a tree line in the distance at the edge of the field.
    Fall Gardening for Spring Nesting

    What can you do this fall to build better habitat for your nest box inhabitants? Plant native! Native plants are a boon for wildlife, especially birds; they’re a great source of food and shelter, and they provide ample nesting material during the breeding season. Our guest Mhairi McFarlane dives into several different activities you can do right now to help create ideal nesting space for your birds come springtime.