Yellow Warbler_Female_009_JF04667
Here this female Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) has nearly completed her nest. It was fascinating to watch as she brought materials to the nest, weaving them into place. Then she measured the quality of her work by wiggling her belly around in the nest to test its size.
This was often followed by a sort of Mexican Hat Dance in which she leaned her body into one side of the nest, spread her wings out, as you see here, and then used her tiny little feet to push against the far side of the nest with rapid, tap dance-like motions, expanding the nest cup by pushing out its sides to fit her liking and compacting its walls at the same time.
Location: Magee Marsh State Park, OH
