Book 11, Question 109
Why Do Swallows Build Nests Out of Mud?
Swallows build nests out of mud because mud dries hard and sticks to walls! That gives them a strong little cup to raise their chicks. It takes a lot of trips to build one.
More fun facts
- Swallows build nests from mud and bits of plants.
- They often attach nests to a beam or ledge, like under the eaves of a roof.
- Cliff swallows build cone shaped mud nests, sometimes under bridges.
- Swallows often return to old nests, so a nest site may be used again next year.
- Purple martins, a kind of swallow, use leaves, sticks, grass and mud for their nests.
Sources: BBC, National Geographic, Smithsonian, National Park Service
Questions kids ask
Where can I spot swallow nests?
Look under roof eaves and bridges, especially where you saw nests the year before.