Birds that make real and false entrances

Do you know the bird called the African Penduline Tit?

In kanji, it’s written as 吊巣雀 (Tsuri-suzume). The name comes from the fact that it builds a hanging nest, mainly using grass, on tree branches. The nest is amazing!"

The nest of the African Penduline Tit has two entrances. One is a closed entrance that leads to the breeding chamber and is not visible from the outside. The other is a large, open entrance that is visible from the outside but leads to a dead end. So, why do they create an entrance that leads to a dead end?

The reason for creating an entrance that leads to a dead end is to make predators mistakenly believe that the nest is empty. That's right! It's a dummy entrance. Small birds, which have no chance against predators, cannot afford to make conspicuous large nests. Instead, they have cleverly designed a compact space that makes the most of limited space while remaining safe.

Usually, the entrance to the nest is closed. When entering the nest, the birds open it with their feet, and when exiting, they use their heads to close it securely. The nest is made of soft materials, so it closes tightly, preventing cold air from entering and making it difficult for predators like monkeys to even notice the entrance. It’s truly like a natural auto-lock system.