Dear Fan,
From someone often called a “flying rat,” I have to say it's you humans who are really stuck in the rat race! Why are you paying rent when you could build a nice nest made from twigs, bark and grasses? My species really has it down. Have you ever seen a grackle nest? Probably not; we go for the highest place possible - sometimes more than 60 feet off the ground. Talk about a room with a view! Females often choose the nest site, preferably a spot with several upright twigs to anchor the nest. to start off, we weave together a bulky cup of plant material. Some of us even jazz it up with some ribbon, plastic strips and string. Once the cup is in place, we line the nest with mud or cow dung and add a soft inner layer of finer grasses. The whole process takes about five-17 days - and then we have a cozy home to live in, rent-free!
Yours,
Grackle
