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Most species weave nests that have narrow entrances, facing downward. Many weaver species are gregarious and breed colonially. [2] The birds build their nests together for protection, often several to a branch. Usually the male birds weave the nests and use them as a form of display to lure prospective females.
The phainopepla is a striking bird, 16–20 cm (6.3–7.9 in) long with a noticeable crest and a long tail; it is slender, and has an upright posture when it perches. Its bill is short and slender. The male is glossy black, and has a white wing patch that is visible when it flies; the female is plain gray and has a lighter gray wing patch.
The California quail is the official state bird of California. This list of birds of California is a comprehensive listing of all the bird species seen naturally in the U.S. state of California as determined by the California Bird Records Committee (CBRC). [1] Additional accidental and hypothetical species have been added from different sources.
The sharp-shinned hawk and other birds prey upon American bushtits. [4] Bushtits live in flocks of 10 to 40 birds and family members sleep together in their large, hanging nest during breeding season. Once the offsprings develop wings that are developed enough to fly, they leave the nest and sleep on branches.
Juvenile in California, USA. Nests are built low in trees or bushes, 1–10 m (3.3–32.8 ft) above the ground, primarily by the female, while the male guards her efforts. The nests are sturdy, with an outside diameter of 33–58 cm (13–23 in), constructed on a platform of twigs with moss and dry grasses lined with fine roots and hair.
The females in turn line the nest for her future chicks. [2] The most striking males that build the best nests and have a higher quality territory (higher food resources) tend to have higher reproductive success, meaning there is strong sexual selection on the males to have the most vibrant plumage and to build nests in high-quality territory.
The male usually chooses an emplacement and starts to build the nest for the female. Eventually, both birds decide where to build their nest, sometimes starting several nests before settling down. At first, the male brings material (twigs, branches and such) for the female to build the nest, then both perform both roles.
Chlamydera, Sericulus and Ptilonorhynchus bowerbirds build an avenue-type bower made of two walls of vertically placed sticks. [14] Ailuroedus catbirds are the only species which do not construct either bowers or display courts. [15] In and around the bower, the male places a variety of brightly colored objects he has collected.