Individuality in nest building: Do Southern Masked weaver (Ploceus velatus) males vary in their nest-building behaviour?

Walsh, Patrick T.; Hansell, Mike; Borello, Wendy D.; Healy, Susan D.

doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2011.06.011

Cited by 59 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Through field observations, recent research into the woven nests of African weaver birds has demonstrated that, although there may be evidence for a genetic element of nest building, there is also evidence for improved constructions and construction behavior through nest-building experience. This suggests that nest building in birds and primates both require a degree of cognitive ability, but certainly no less than that needed for tool construction and use (25,26). The importance of nest building should not therefore be overlooked when investigating the evolution of intelligence; its cognitive and technical requirements may be comparable to that of tool use, and continued research into nest building highlights the technical abilities of great apes and other animal architects (8,(23)(24)(25)(26)(27).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nest-building orangutans demonstrate engineering know-how to produce safe, comfortable beds

Casteren

Sellers

Thorpe

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Nest-building orangutans must daily build safe and comfortable nest structures in the forest canopy and do this quickly and effectively using the branches that surround them. This study aimed to investigate the mechanical design and architecture of orangutan nests and determine the degree of technical sophistication used in their construction. We measured the whole nest compliance and the thickness of the branches used and recorded the ways in which the branches were fractured. Branch samples were also collected from the nests and subjected to three-point bending tests to determine their mechanical properties. We demonstrated that the center of the nest is more compliant than the edges; this may add extra comfort and safety to the structure. During construction orangutans use the fact that branches only break half-way across in "greenstick" fracture to weave the main nest structure. They choose thicker branches with greater rigidity and strength to build the main structure in this way. They then detach thinner branches by following greenstick fracture with a twisting action to make the lining. These results suggest that orangutans exhibit a degree of technical knowledge and choice in the construction of nests.biomechanics | intelligence | great apes | wood

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nest-building orangutans demonstrate engineering know-how to produce safe, comfortable beds

Casteren

Sellers

Thorpe

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…Certain gorillas tie knots in their nests, tying granny knots out of saplings and creepers as well as the slightly more complex reef knot [2]. The Ploceidae or Weaver Bird builds its nest out of knots, weaving an intricate pattern to attract a mate [3]. Knots are part of both human and animal life, woven into important rituals and everyday practices.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of knots in material culture

Scanlon

2016

J. Knot Theory Ramifications

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“…Detailed nest construction behaviour is rarely described, but see Skutch (1976), Collias & Collias (1984) and Hansell (2000), but where this is the case, the materials used seem to have been chosen with care and the method of construction can be quite precise (Hansell 2000, Bailey et al 2014. Male Southern Masked Weaver Birds Ploceus velatus weave complex nests from blades of grass but sequential nests built by the same male vary significantly in structure (Walsh et al 2010(Walsh et al , 2011. By contrast, Penduline Tits Remiz pendulinus exhibit a high degree of repeatability in nest mass (Schleicher et al 1996).…”

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confidence: 99%

Morphology and biomechanics of the nests of the Common BlackbirdTurdus merula

2014

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Capsule Common blackbirds select different materials, with varying biomechanical properties, to construct different parts of their nest. Aims This study tested the hypothesis that outer components of a nest have a more structural role and so are stronger than materials used to line the cup. Methods Blackbird nests were measured prior to being dismantled to isolate structural components which were tested for mechanical strength and rigidity. Results Outer nest wall materials were significantly thicker, stronger and more rigid than materials in the inner structural wall or the cup lining. In the vertical plane materials used in the structural wall did not differ. By contrast, lining materials from the bottom of the nest cup were significantly thicker, stronger and more rigid than materials from the top of the cup. Conclusion Blackbirds use different materials in nest construction roles suited to their properties and so may be able to recognize the structural properties of these materials. Materials on the outside of the nest may have a key structural role during construction.

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Individuality in nest building: Do Southern Masked weaver (Ploceus velatus) males vary in their nest-building behaviour?

Cited by 59 publications

References 30 publications

Nest-building orangutans demonstrate engineering know-how to produce safe, comfortable beds

Nest-building orangutans demonstrate engineering know-how to produce safe, comfortable beds

Study of knots in material culture

Morphology and biomechanics of the nests of the Common BlackbirdTurdus merula

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