Bird Basket Weaving 101

[RVT1K]

A male Altamira Oriole is starting to build a nest in a tree behind our property. I believe he is building in the hopes of attracting a mate because when he's not weaving, he's doing a lot of singing right by the upcoming nest. Its a long, thin branch and it is amazing to see how much it is flailing around in the breeze...motion sickness anyone??

So if things go my way he'll finish the nest without any disasters occurring, attract a mate, and have some chicks. The only down-side is that the nest is quite high and I can't get any closer.

 

[Jeff15]

Good shots ...

 

[Digger...]

A nest on the end of a branch, thats different. Can't wait to see what the finished project is like?

 

[RVT1K]

A nest on the end of a branch, thats different. Can't wait to see what the finished project is like?

Some of the Orioles -there are a few varieties- here make a nest that is very much a hanging basket and it is not uncommon to see them hanging from power lines.

I'm not sure how this one is going to turn out. Last year I got shots of a nest with chicks but it was more incorporated into the branches of the tree although much deeper than the typical nest that sits on top of a branch. Documenting the progress will be fairly easy since all I have to do is go out in the back yard.

More shots to follow...

 

[RVT1K]

From this morning..progress continues.

 

[21limited]

Awesome work. Pictures that tell a story.

 

[jeffashman]

Very nice capture! Fascinating.

 

[RVT1K]

This one is from this morning (4-25).
By later in the afternoon the nest was deep and sturdy enough for him to sit in it although he doesn't appear to be finished yet.
But it is clear that this will not be one the "hanging basket" nests that other Orioles are building in the area.