Bird Nests and Construction Behaviour

Fascinating account of the biology of the nests, bowers and tools made by birds.

Mike Hansell (Author), Raith Overhill (Illustrated by)

9780521017640, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 21 July 2005

296 pages, 22 b/w illus. 12 tables
24.4 x 17 x 1.6 cm, 0.48 kg

'Hansell's book contains loads of information that will be both helpful to the scientist and interesting to the enthusiast. … is thorough, engaging, and fun to read. Hansell's book will be enjoyed by students of ornithology, animal behavior, ecology, and evolutionary biology. It will become a valuable part of the collections of university libraries, professional ornithologists, and those generally enthusiastic about all things avian.' Rebecca Jo Safran, Cornell University

Bird Nests and Construction Behaviour provides a broad view of our understanding of the biology of the nests, bowers and tools made by birds. It illustrates how, among vertebrates, the building abilities of birds are more impressive and consistent than for any other builders other than ourselves, yet birds seem to require no special equipment, and use quite uncomplicated behaviour. In doing so, the book raises general issues in the field of behavioural ecology including the costs of reproduction, sexual selection and the organisation and complexity of behaviour. Written for students and researchers of animal behaviour, behavioural ecology and ornithology, it will nevertheless make fascinating reading for architects and engineers interested in understanding how structures are created by animals.

1. Animal builders and the importance of bird nests
2. The clutch-nest relationship
3. Standardising the nest description
4. Construction
5. The structure
6. The cost of nest building
7. The selection of a nest site
8. Bowers, building quality and mate assessment
9. The evolution of nest building
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Birds [ornithology PSVW6], Animal behaviour [PSVP]