Discover a Red-Eyed Vireo Nest

Anyone who takes the time to carefully deconstruct a bird's nest, piece by tiny piece, deserves to have that work recognized. Back in 2007--think back in recent memory to when the first iPhone was released and the last book of the Harry Potter series was published--Joleen Stinson was busy exploring the components of a red-eyed vireo nest. She counted and then laid out over 400 pieces of tree bark, 347 pine needles, a singular cherry stem, and effectively revealed the hard work of a mother bird through her own dedication. 

Developing and constructing a new exhibit each year, the Cable Natural History Museum landed on "Birds in Focus" over a decade ago--described as helping to "turn even the most nature-phobic urbanite into a fledgling naturalist and birder." With a variety of tactile elements that surely survived in the minds of its visitors, the exhibit also inspired a red-eyed vireo nest display that to this day hangs on the walls of the Museum. It has yet to lose its novelty. 

Joleen was an employee of the Museum at the time, and as a quintessential naturalist her interest in our local birds must have been thoroughly piqued. Simply put, her nest display demonstrates the various materials a mother red-eyed vireo prefers to use as she creates an entire nest in about five days. Most of us have probably observed such a nest, as they tend to be built in the understory of trees and shrubs, concealed from above and often in the fork of a branch. 

Nearly all materials used in the nest can be found organized on the display. From a tiny ball of pitch to numerous shreds of birch bark, Joleen accounted for all. The following is a list of the materials she discovered in one red-eyed vireo nest: 

Cherry stem: 1
Piece of paper: 1
Pitch ball (tree sap): 1
Pieces of thread: 2
Balsam fir needles: 7
Plant buds: 9
Pine needle sheaths: 69
Pieces of hornet nest: 16
Twigs: 24
Animal hairs: 50
Pieces of birch bark: 346
Pine needles: 347
Pieces of tree bark (inner bark): 427
Pieces of spider web (not included in display): 16

What does this display demonstrate to us? Is it an accumulation of data--a work of art? As a Curator, this display serves to highlight the dedication of all creatures in this world. Some mother red-eyed vireo spent days collecting over a thousand bits of her habitat to foster the life of her young. A curious naturalist then meticulously rewound time to better understand that vireo's work. The notion of dedication extends beyond this display--it fills our halls and the minds of our many visitors--and the Museum is dedicated to inspiring others to exploring nature as Joleen has.