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A List of Oval Nest Birds

The oval birds' nests are described as pendants or gourd-shaped. The oval base is the main nest area where the female lays her eggs. The base connects to the underside of a branch or other sturdy support, such as a cliff overhang, by a neck. The term pendant describes nests with a thin neck and gourd-shaped identifies a nest with a thick neck. Birds that build these oval type nests are the weaver-bird, Sunbird, oropendolas, oriole, Cliff swallow and Bush tit.

Weaver-bird
- Masked weaver nest.
  
  There are 200 to 300 different species of weaver-birds. They weave nests using tendrils, fine roots or grasses with no fancy decorations. These nests hang from the underside of tree branches with an entrance at the top of the oval nesting area or at the bottom. Nests may have the thin pendant neck construction or the thicker gourd type construction.
Sunbirds
- Sunbird's are tiny birds with iridescent colors. They live in tropic forests, and some species populate vegetation in the desert. Nests consist of fine twigs and grasses that hang from thin branches. The entrance hole is located above the oval base with a type of hood construction over the hole. The Sunbird uses a medium size neck for the nest construction.
Oropendolas
- The oropendolas is a type of black bird located in South and Central America. They live in forests and open woodlands. One tree may contain a colony of nests hanging from various branches. The woven grass and twig nests have an entrance near the bottom of the oval base and have a pendant shape with very long thin necks.
Oriole
- Black-headed oriole nest
  
  Several species of orioles exist and they all use the oval style nest. The nests consist of hair, plant fibers with synthetic fibers to decorate the outside. Nests hang from the end of thin branches or in the fork of a tall tree. These birds breed along woodlands, open areas with a few scattered trees and parks. Their nests are pendant style, though the neck is very short. Some nests may look like a teardrop.
Cliff Swallows
- Cliff swallows nest in colonies under bridges, on cliffs or on buildings. These birds build their nests using mud. The swallow fastens this mud gourd-type structure to a wall or rock with an arched opening at the top of the nest structure that faces downward. The outside surface of the nest has a pebbly surface because the birds bring round balls of mud from stream beds and pack them together.
Bushtit
- The Bushtit is a small dowdy colored bird with a long tail usually found in large flocks. They create elaborate hanging gourd type nests using spider webs and other thin plant material. The gourds have a hooded entrance near the top. Bushtits line the inside nest area with feathers or fur. They decorate the outside with flowers and leaves.

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