Atlas of Habitats

group

0.008 m³

at 2.4 m

6.75ºN

L06 [furry] nest

mixed

birds

L06 [furry] nest

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Introduction

Liberia
Abounded hotel in Robertsport
6.7506 ° N, 11.3799° W
08/04/2024, 07:09pm

This bird's nest was constructed inside an abandoned hotel and caught our close attention. This multimaterial nest is very light, soft, and complexly constructed.

Robertsport is a town located about 16 km from the Sierra Leone border. In the 1940s, Robertsport was promoted and received a cultural center, art museum, and guesthouse that were also of importance beyond Liberia's national border. However, most of these were abandoned after the Civil Wars.

Micro Climate

The nest is composed of softer materials, like feathers, to line the inside for comfort and insulation. The nest's placement in an indoor corner indicates that the bird had sought a safe, secluded spot away from exterior threats.

Material

This nest is made of various natural materials like feathers, fur, twigs, and other debris. Birds often build nests in safe, sheltered places, like the one that was found, to protect their eggs or young from predators and harsh weather.

Location

The nest is attached to the corner of an intersection point between two concrete supporting beams and a concrete column. This abandoned hotel had a capacity of about 50 rooms. All the valuable materials of the building had been removed and sold after the Second Civil War. The remaining structure has become home to many species, which we have scanned and documented.

Construction

The fact that the nest is "glued" to the corner is an indicator that the species uses mud as an adhesive, which is characteristic of most swallows and swifts. Some parts are glued, while other parts are woven. Based on the nest’s entrance, the structure seems a lot bigger than the actual size of the birds would require.