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How to Display Birds' Nests

For an environmentally responsible and humane alternative to keeping birds and bird artifacts such as unhatched eggs or in-use nests as decorations, try preserving an abandoned bird's nest. Because birds will incorporate any nearby materials, including paper, string, nails, pieces of wire and bits of fabric, into their nest, the nest will be a unique, natural work of art. Don't be surprised if your nest includes manmade materials such as string, wire or paper. (See Reference 1).

Things You'll Need

Bird's nest
Plastic or polyurethane spray
Case made of glass or plastic, or window box frame

Instructions

- 1
  Make sure that the nest is dry and clean. Transport it carefully to a place that is dry, free of dust and dehumidified, and wait until the nest is free of moisture. Then make sure that the nest is free of dirt and bugs by shaking it or gently blowing on it.
- 2
  Spray the nest with a plastic spray or polyurethane to hold the structure together and protect it from moisture damage. Consider coloring the nest with spray paint before you apply the plastic spray for different artistic effects.
- 3
  Display the bird's nest in your home underneath a glass or plastic covering. Try displaying it vertically in a window box frame or horizontally underneath a glass bell cover. Because of minute holes in the nest and the delicacy of the structure, it will be difficult to remove dust buildup over time.

Animals & Science