THE BEGINNING AND END OF A BIRD'S NEST

This Sunbird couple started building their nest in a white stinkwood tree next to our veranda. It was built in the exact same location as where last year's nest was constructed, so it might even be the same pair, or maybe last year's offspring.
the Amethyst Sunbird is likely named after the small purple patch visible on the male's shoulder. They start off in a well camouflaged area in the tree and construction is done i two stages. They build a shell first and thereafter they do the interior decoration. The shell needs to withstand the South African High-veld winds, heat and thunderstorms and it clearly seemed to be water resistant, when the storm which lasted the whole night, happened a week into the breeding and it did not affect the breeding process.
Once the structure was in place the interior was padded with soft white and cream plant seeds and tufts.
And another week later, a Village Weaver came to build his own nest within a half meter of the derelict sunbird nest so surely the selection of the site by the sunbirds was sufficient for the village weaver to also come and build his homestead here.
By the 3rd week after vacating the nest, the male Sunbird returned and inspected and sat on top of the remains of the nest for a couple minutes. Time will tell why ....
‪@EvelynJoubertNatureWithEve‬
#sunbirds
#wildlifephotography
#nesting
#birding
#nature
#birds
#photography
#wildlife
#naturewitheve
#smallnature
#evelynjoubert