Author(s):

Mahesh Jadhav, Shivaji Chavan and Pooja Patange

Abstract: Birds are well known for construction of various kinds of nests. It is an instinct behaviour. For protection against rain, environmental temperature difference, to care the brood, a part of breeding process birds construct nests. Nest structure, designs and materials used in nest construction are species specific. The specificity also found in nesting site selection, avoidance of predation risk and easy way to rescue from the nest. Present study on ten species of local birds and their nest structure, nest material used reveals that 54.40 % locally available material was used by these species that includes plant materials mainly. The synthetic materials, soil, silt, mud and the materials of animal origin like human hair, spider net threads, and dropped feathers of birds were used in nest construction. Most diverse selection of nest material was by Indian Common Mayna whereas least type of material used by Baya weaver. Residential buildings and office buildings, buildings of education centres in the University campus were effectively used by the birds in non nesting period as shelter. The brilliance and plasticity of birds was remarkable for survival of fittest with existing conditions. Detailed study on each species nest was recommended to understand and plan for their conservational importance.

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