An article published in The Auk shows birds actively select nest-building materials that camouflage their nests. Researchers from the School of Biology at University of St Andrews tested zebra finches by putting a different colored wallpaper in the birds' cages. They then placed different colored strips of paper in the cages for the birds to build nests with. Depending on the colors of the wallpaper in its cage, each finch selected the paper strip that most closely matched. No birds aren't into the monochromatic look, but rather they build nests that shield them from predators. The birds also selected a small amount of clashing paper to create an optic illusion around the edges of their nests, or a "disturbance."

From a Phys Org story on the study:

Report author, Dr Ida Bailey said:

"We know from previous work that birds will learn to choose nest material of a colour they associate with a successful nesting attempt but this is the first evidence that they choose material so as to camouflage their nests. Camouflage is, then, another feature of nest building that we now know birds consider when they choose the materials with which to build their nests.

"Like us they don't choose just any coloured material to build their homes, they avoid colours that would clash with their surroundings. Knowing this gives us a better idea of how birds may actively reduce the chances of predators finding their nests. It also opens up the possibility that this is yet another aspect of nest building that inexperienced nest builders may get wrong and need to learn about during their lives."

Via Phys Org.

Photo of Cactus Wren