Mystery Material (1 Viewer)

[lukes19]

Hello all,

Each year I have noticed our blue tits bring in the slightest bit of red nesting material (see pic). I have also noticed this on other images of other people's blue tit nests.

Does anyone have any idea what it is? And more importantly does anyone have any idea why the blue tit feels the need to introduce such slight amount of red nesting material into the box?

Any and all answers would be great

Cheers,

Luke

 

[Oldhui]

They tend to line the nest with soft materials on top of the grass/moss. I guess it provides better insulation and is kinder to the naked skin of the chicks. If you look at blue tit bird cameras on Youtube, they all do this. I've heard people putting out dog hair and the birds are happy to use whatever they can find. Our blue tit last year picked some blue fiber the same colour as herself, which was interesting. This year the blue tit is just up to the stage of having the cup built. We are eager to see what colour of soft material she will use.

 

[Oldhui]

Hello all,

Each year I have noticed our blue tits bring in the slightest bit of red nesting material (see pic). I have also noticed this on other images of other people's blue tit nests.

Does anyone have any idea what it is? And more importantly does anyone have any idea why the blue tit feels the need to introduce such slight amount of red nesting material into the box?

Any and all answers would be great

Cheers,

Luke

This was how it looked last year in ours:

 

[lukes19]

This was how it looked last year in ours:


View attachment 1443124

 

[lukes19]

Hi Oldhui,

Yes I'm in entire agreement with the soft linings of the nest, it's essential to young bluetit nestlings.

But the questions remain, why use a bright material, blue in your instance red in mine. What is the material? And what purpose does it serve?
I thought perhaps it may be something known to the bluetits that repelled mites or lice?
Their must be some reason to it's use over just hair, wool and feathers as a final nest liner?

Cheers,

Luke

 

[Oldhui]

Hi Oldhui,

Yes I'm in entire agreement with the soft linings of the nest, it's essential to young bluetit nestlings.

But the questions remain, why use a bright material, blue in your instance red in mine. What is the material? And what purpose does it serve?
I thought perhaps it may be something known to the bluetits that repelled mites or lice?
Their must be some reason to it's use over just hair, wool and feathers as a final nest liner?

Cheers,

Luke

Hi Luke!

I happened to look at the blue material last year when blue tit mom dropped some outside. It is clearly synthetic. My guess is that she just picked up whatever she found in the neighbourhood.

But surely the question remains: Why bright coloured? Is the colour choice universal or a bird-sonal taste?

We are joking saying that she has a taste for blue which is her own colour. I would like to hear from others if their blue tits have a different taste.

 

[lukes19]

Absolutely,

I'll look forward to hearing if anyone can answer, why choose brightly coloured synthetic material, and what purpose does it serve?

My bluetits haven't quite got to the coloured material stage this year, I'll be sure to post when they do

 

[Oldhui]

Absolutely,

I'll look forward to hearing if anyone can answer, why choose brightly coloured synthetic material, and what purpose does it serve?

My bluetits haven't quite got to the coloured material stage this year, I'll be sure to post when they do

Our blue tit picked up the same blue material yesterday! However it is gone this morning.
She laid 3 eggs so far.

 

[lukes19]

Great news regarding the nesting tits.
Mine started a little late this year too.

Strange isn't it. The search goes on for someone to give a definitive answer as to what it is and why they use it. Also curious if it is indeed synthetic where they all manage to find it