Protection from pests: The advantages of tobacco stalks in the nest

The long tobacco stalks are a particularly good nesting material that birds like to use for nest building.

• a natural, easy-to-use product
• an exceptionally good way to protect young pigeons in the nest from all kinds of vermin
• are very well suited as flooring for the travel basket

Nest building plays a significant role in the relationship between the male and female, as well as in the bond between a pair and their nest. Good nesting material is beneficial for breeding. Furthermore, it is an effective way to protect breeding pigeons and their young from pests, which also improves breeding results. It is sufficient to provide the pigeons with tobacco stalks during the nest-building phase.

Birds build a more or less complex nest from various materials in order to incubate their eggs and care for their young in a protected area.

The designs vary greatly from type to type.

The stems are approximately 5-10cm long.

Division of labor in nest building (Source: Wikipedia)

Whether and to what extent male and female birds participate in nest building depends primarily on the species. Often, the partners build together, with the male frequently providing suitable nesting material, while the female is responsible for the layout and interior design. In some bird species, the females build entirely on their own, while in others, the males do. Here are a few examples from our local birdlife:

House martins and barn swallows build their nests together. Carrion crows, magpies, and jackdaws also build nests collaboratively – although in these cases, the work is sometimes divided: the males primarily carry nesting material. Mute swans and white storks also build together. House sparrows and tree sparrows are particularly equal partners in this process.

That only the females build nests is typical for some finches: greenfinch, goldfinch, chaffinch, serin, etc. However, they are accompanied by their partner, meaning he is present. Female blue tits and thrush and reed warblers build their nests alone.

In some bird species, the males begin nest building alone and only continue their activity once a female bird shows interest in them and the nest. This is the case with the penduline tit, where the pair then continues building together as soon as the nest and partner have been accepted by the female. Otherwise, the male starts a new nest elsewhere.