Definition

1. Noun:
   • A structure built by birds: A "bird nest" is a construction made from materials like twigs, grass, and leaves, created by birds as a place to lay eggs and raise their young.
   • The dwelling place for bird offspring: It serves as the primary shelter and nursery for baby birds (chicks) from incubation until they are ready to leave (fledge).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We found a robin's bird nest in the oak tree.
  • It is important not to disturb a bird nest during the breeding season.
  • The children built a replica of a bird nest for their science project.

Advanced Usage

• "To nest" (verb): The action of building or occupying a nest.
  • The swallows return every spring to nest under our eaves.
• Figurative use: Sometimes used to describe something messy or tangled that resembles the structure of a nest.
  • Her hair was a complete bird nest after the windy walk. (Note: This is an idiomatic, comparative use).

Variants and Related Words

• Nest (noun): The more general term for a structure built by animals, especially birds, for laying eggs and rearing young. "Bird nest" is a specific type of nest.
• Nestbox (noun): An artificial nest structure provided for birds.
• Nestling (noun): A young bird that has not yet left the nest.

Synonyms

• Aerie/Eyrie: The nest of a bird of prey, especially an eagle, often built high on a cliff.
• Roost: A place where birds regularly settle to rest, which may not necessarily be a nest for breeding.

Related Phrases

• "To feather one's nest": An idiom meaning to enrich oneself, especially by taking advantage of one's position.
  • The corrupt official was accused of feathering his own nest.
• "Empty nest": A term describing a household where the children have grown up and moved away.
  • After their youngest went to college, they experienced empty nest syndrome.

Related Idioms

• "A nest egg": A sum of money saved for the future.
  • They have a comfortable nest egg for their retirement.
• "To stir up a hornet's nest": To cause a lot of trouble or anger. (Note: This idiom refers to wasps, not birds, but is conceptually related to disturbing a dwelling place).
  • His comments about the policy really stirred up a hornet's nest.

Noun

1. nest where birds lay their eggs and hatch their young