Researchers based in The Netherlands recently made a remarkable discovery involving urban crows and magpies. They found out that nests found in Rotterdam, in The Netherlands, and Antwerp in Belgium, were predominantly constructed using metal spikes typically employed to deter birds from buildings. The intriguing finding led scientists to search for additional instances and identify similar nests in Glasgow, Scotland, and Enschede, The Netherlands. These resourceful birds from the family of the corvids defied expectations by utilizing anti-bird spikes instead of avoiding them.
Carrion crows created the Rotterdam nest, while Eurasian magpies, known for their dome-like nests, built the other three. The crows used the spikes as a sturdy construction material, while the magpies strategically placed them on the nest's roof to ward off predators (that is other birds, but weasels as well). Besides, the spikes not only protect the nests but may also serve as impressive displays to attract potential mates. Biologists studying these nests have hailed them as the most unusual they have ever encountered.
The incorporation of human-made materials into bird nests is not unprecedented. In the early '30s a South African museum documented a crow's nest fashioned from copper, iron, wire, and barbed wire. However, the latest findings showcase the extraordinary adaptability of these avian species in urban environments.
The crows and magpies seem to actively seek out and remove the metal strips from buildings instead of relying on discarded spikes found at rubbish dumps. This behavior has been observed in various bird species, illustrating their resourcefulness.
The discovery of nests constructed with anti-bird spikes showcases therefore the remarkable cognitive skills of corvids, a family known for its intelligence and resilience, but also highlights the irony of repurposing devices intended to deter birds for their own benefit. Sadly, though, the nests also confirm that birds incorporate hazardous human litter into their nests (such as cigarette butts, plastic bags and fishing nets, but also nails, screws and even drug users' syringes).
While anti-bird spikes are typically used to deter birds from nesting on building ledges, their application to trees in some areas showcases human attempts to prevent pigeons from perching on the branches and creating a messy environment with their droppings. However, experts emphasize the importance of coexisting with birds and embracing their presence.
The resourcefulness of these birds and their ingenious adaptability serve as a testament to nature's ability to thrive even in harsh urban environments and you can discover more about the two anti-bird spike nests in this essay or from the collections at the Natural History Museum in Rotterdam (crow nest) and the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden (magpie nest).
There is a valuable lesson in the behaviour of these birds for all those creative minds that may feel frustrated by limited resources. Just like crows and magpies, try and find materials that you may be able to use and upcycle in unconventional and ironic ways, defying their original design purpose. So, let's turn adaptability and resourcefulness into our inspirations on this sweltering hot (especially if you're in Southern Europe) Sunday.