![]() Hiemstra thinks there are probably more nests out there that were built with anti-bird spikes. But it’s probably more common than we know. It’s not clear if spikes in nests cause any problems for the birds. Bits of string may help birds build nests, but baby birds can get tangled in them. For example, chemicals from cigarette butts can keep insect pests away, but they can also poison the birds. Man-made materials can both help and hurt the birds. Nests have been found with all kinds of man-made materials, including fishing line, candy wrappers, plastic bags, and cigarette butts. Scientists aren’t sure if birds are using artificial materials because they’re better, or simply because they’re easy to find. One recent study reported that nests with man-made materials have been found all over the world, except in Antarctica. It’s common for birds to use man-made materials in their nests. (Source: Auke-Florian Hiemstra,, Het Natuurhistorisch.) Hiemstra says this nest had about 1,500 spikes in it. But in this case, they put anti-bird spikes on top of their nests to keep other birds from landing. Magpies normally use thorny branches to build a spiky rounded cover over their nests. And the scientists noticed that, near the nest, the hospital in Antwerp was missing strips of anti-bird spikes. But other birds have been seen doing this. The researchers didn’t actually spot either kind of bird taking spikes off of buildings. Hiemstra says the magpie nest found in Antwerp had about 1,500 spikes in it. But in this case, they appeared to use the spikes like humans do – putting them on top of their nests to keep other birds from landing. Normally, they use thorny branches to build a spiky rounded cover over their nests. Magpies have to worry about other birds, including crows, stealing their eggs. (Source: Garry Bakker, Het Natuurhistorisch.) Crows used the spikes inside their nests to help make the nests stronger (above). The two kinds of birds are related, and are known for being clever. Some were magpie nests others were made by crows. The researchers learned about several nests in Europe that used anti-bird spikes. The crows used the spikes on the inside of their nests to help make the nests stronger. The two kinds of birds are related, and are famous for being able to solve challenging problems.īut the birds didn’t use the spikes in exactly the same ways. Magpies and crows are known for being clever. “These are the craziest bird nests I’ve ever seen,” says Mr. In time, the researchers learned about several other nests in Europe that also used anti-bird spikes. (Source: Neoclassicism Enthusiast, via Wikimedia Commons.) Above, anti-bird spikes on a building in Bucharest, Romania. These spikes come in strips and are usually placed on buildings to prevent birds from landing. Scientists have discovered that magpies and crows are using “anti-bird spikes” to build their nests. But this time, the birds had used the strips of spikes to make a nest. They come in strips and are usually placed on buildings to prevent birds from landing. The metal spikes were “anti-bird spikes”. ![]() The top of the nest had thin metal spikes poking out all over. “Almost anything can become part of a bird nest,” he says.īut he was surprised when someone at a hospital in Antwerp, Belgium sent him a picture of a magpie nest. ![]() He has seen nests that include some pretty unusual materials – things like plastic flowers, sunglasses, and even windshield wipers. The birds appear to be removing the spikes from buildings and adding them to their own nests.Īuke-Florian Hiemstra is a Dutch scientist who studies how wild animals use materials made by humans. Scientists in Europe have discovered that magpies and crows are using an unusual material to build their nests – spikes designed to keep birds away from buildings.
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