I had not seen the nest in summer when it was hidden by green vegetation, but now it’s in full view, a woven cup of twigs topped with snow. Its dimensions, location and materials indicated it ...

Just as we have our styles of wood, adobe or brick, so do the birds: twig nests (warblers et al.), mud nests (swallows) and even gravel or stone nests (killdeer) or a combo, twigs and mud (robins).

Pigeon nests typically consist of just a few twigs dropped in a loose pile. You can find them all over most cities, on rooftops, balconies, air conditioning units, and even doormats, but unless ...

• Blue jay: Nest made of twigs, small roots, bark strips, moss, cloth, paper and feathers, occasionally with mud. • Northern mockingbird: Male builds nest of twigs; female lines it with grass.

A bird's nest is a happy sight in a thriving garden, but looks can be deceiving. That collection of twigs may actually be home to a common garden pest.

They shape the nest with their feet, beaks and tails. Nests make an interesting show, but Marra offers a few rules: It is okay to look in briefly once or twice, but better to watch from a distance.

A variety of birds build cup nests, which are often held steady by a base of twigs, bark shreds, grasses and mosses. They’re also held together by a layer of mud, spiderwebs, fur and hair.

They are marvels of the natural world. The weave of twigs, grass, leaves and other natural materials is specific to each species. Most birds use nests only to raise their young.

The nest of twigs, moss and sod was once home to local bald eagle power couple, Orv and Willa: pair-bonded eagles who have parented in the park together since 2018.