Hi All,

Last year, a pair of Western Kingbirds built a nest in the end of the
rain gutter on our house. While it overlooked our garden and yard, we
thought it wasn't a good location because of possible washout during a
storm, and it was very hot next to the metal roof. We didn't get any
rains then but the open location invited nest predation by a raven, so
the nest failed.

Once again this year two kingbirds began building in the gutter. To
entice the birds to a safer location, I attached a shelf to the steel
framework under the eaves just below the gutter and screwed a small
woven basket to the shelf. Soon after, the Western Kingbirds decided
the new location was better and constructed a nest in the basket.
(Isn't this called wildlife management?)

Here's a couple photos of the female on the nest, and a view into it.
It's one of the prettiest of nests with dried grasses and some bits of
mesh camo netting. The soft, white inner lining is made from the
silk-like strands of milkweed pod, artistically decorated with long
black horse hairs. Three eggs appear to be the extent of this clutch.


Steve Bouricius
Palisade

2 of 2 Photo(s)