Platform nests are one of the most common types of bird nests. They are relatively flat nests built on a wide, flat surface. Many different species across a variety of bird families build platform nests. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common platform nesting birds.
What is a Platform Nest?
A platform nest refers to any nest that is built on top of a wide, flat surface. The nest itself also tends to be wide and shallow. Platform nests are often built:
- In the branches of trees
- On cliff ledges
- On the ground
- On man-made structures like buildings or bridges
Platform nests are composed of twigs, grasses, mosses, mud, and other materials. They provide a flat surface for the eggs and chicks to rest on. The shallow bowl shape helps keep the eggs and chicks together in the center of the nest.
Advantages of Platform Nests
There are several key advantages to the platform nest style:
- Stability – Platform nests are low and wide, which makes them very stable, especially when built in tree branches or cliff ledges.
- Strength – Platform nests are tightly woven with twigs and branches, creating a strong base to hold adult birds, eggs, and chicks.
- Insulation – The dense materials used to build platform nests trap heat and help insulate eggs and chicks.
- Drainage – Platform nests allow water to drain through the bottom, keeping the nest dry in wet weather.
- Camouflage – When built on the ground or in trees, platform nests blend in with their surroundings, hiding eggs and chicks from predators.
The stability, durability, insulation, drainage, and camouflage provided by platform nests make them an ideal choice for many species.
Common Platform Nesting Bird Families
Many different families of birds build platform nests. Some of the most common include:
Hawks and Eagles
Most hawks and eagles build large platform nests high up in tall trees or on cliff ledges. Their nests are made of sticks and branches up to several feet wide to accommodate the large birds. Species include:
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Cooper’s Hawk
- Bald Eagle
- Golden Eagle
Owls
Like hawks, owls favor platform nests on tree branches or cliff ledges. Nocturnal owls rely on the safety of high nest sites. Owl species with platform nests include:
- Great Horned Owl
- Eastern Screech Owl
- Spotted Owl
- Barn Owl
Herons
Herons build platform nests called heronries in groups with other herons, often high up in trees near water. Species include:
- Great Blue Heron
- Great Egret
- Green Heron
Storks
Stork nests are exceptionally large platform nests built high in trees. White storks even reuse their massive nests each year. Stork species with platform nests include:
- Wood Stork
- Jabiru
- Black Stork
- White Stork
Crows
Corvids like crows, ravens, and magpies all build large, messy platform nests high in trees. Common species include:
- American Crow
- Northwestern Crow
- Black-Billed Magpie
- Common Raven
Doves and Pigeons
Doves and pigeons craft flimsy platform nests on branches, cliffs, or man-made structures. Examples include:
- Rock Pigeon
- Mourning Dove
- Common Ground Dove
- White-Winged Dove
Geese and Ducks
Waterfowl like geese and ducks build simple platform nests on the ground near water. Goose species include:
- Canada Goose
- Snow Goose
While duck species include:
- Mallard
- Wood Duck
- Hooded Merganser
Hummingbirds
Though tiny, hummingbird nests are intricately woven platform cups built on branches. Species such as:
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
Songbirds
Many perching songbirds use platform nests too. Just some examples are:
- American Robin
- Eastern Phoebe
- Barn Swallow
- Northern Cardinal
- American Goldfinch
- Eastern Bluebird
Platform Nesting Birds by Habitat
The habitat where birds build their platform nests depends on the species. Some of the most common platform nesting habitats include:
Habitat | Birds |
---|---|
Forests | Hawks, eagles, owls, crows, jays, robins, phoebes |
Wetlands | Herons, egrets, geese, ducks |
Cliffs | Hawks, eagles, owls, ravens, swifts |
Urban areas | Pigeons, doves, crows, swallows |
Shrublands | Songbirds like goldfinches, cardinals, bluebirds |
Grasslands | Ducks, hummingbirds, meadowlarks, sparrows |
As seen, platform nests allow birds to take advantage of a variety of nesting sites from high tree canopies to low shrubs.
Notable Platform Nests
While most platform nests are relatively small, some platform nesting birds build truly massive structures. Here are a few records for the largest platform nests:
- The largest known bald eagle nest was found in Florida. It was over 9 feet wide and 20 feet deep!
- A macaw nest in Peru measured over 6 feet wide and weighed over 2 tons.
- White stork nests in Europe can be up to 8 feet wide and 11 feet deep.
- A record osprey nest in Scotland grew to over 6 feet wide and 3 feet tall over 35 years of use.
In addition to their large size, platform nests can also be quite long-lived. Eagles, owls, herons, ravens, and other big birds may use and expand the same nest for many years in a row.
Unusual Platform Nests
While most platform nests are built high up in trees, some birds get creative with their nest placement:
- Cliff swallows build mud platform nests in large colonies on the sides of cliffs.
- Barn swallows attach their mud nests to the rafters of barns and under bridges.
- Ospreys build large platform nests atop man-made objects like telephone poles, channel markers, and cell phone towers.
- Common nighthawks lay their eggs directly on bare rocky surfaces with no nest at all!
Birds like swifts and barn swallows have adapted to man-made structures and will readily build their platform nests on building ledges, porch rafters, and more.
Threats to Platform Nests
Despite their sturdy construction, platform nests face a variety of threats from both natural and man-made causes:
- Weather – High winds and storms can knock nests out of trees and off cliffs. Heavy rain can also soak and weaken nests.
- Predators – Snakes, raccoons, and raptors may raid nests for eggs and chicks.
- Habitat loss – Deforestation, cliff blasting, and wetland drainage destroys nesting sites.
- Human activity – Nest disturbances, collisions with vehicles and buildings, and pollution all threaten platform nesting birds.
Many birds now face shortages of suitable and safe nesting locations. Conservation efforts aimed at protecting and creating more platform nesting habitat are critical to help boost populations.
Conclusion
Platform nests are an essential tool that allow many types of birds to take advantage of elevated and protected sites for nesting. While platform nesting behavior occurs across diverse bird families, they all share the need for a flat, stable structure to support their eggs and raise their chicks. Understanding platform nesting birds and their habitat requirements will be key knowledge for ongoing conservation efforts.