birdnest
Treetop egg holder
A birdnest is the structure birds build to hold their eggs and raise their young—typically woven from twigs, grass, and other materials.
The word also refers to edible nests made by swiftlets from hardened saliva, prized in Chinese cuisine for bird's nest soup.
As a verb, to birdnest is to search for or collect birds' nests: We spent the afternoon birdnesting along the cliffs.
Place of safety
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- havenShelter from danger
- homeOne's personal residence
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
cozy · snug · shelter · nurturing · security · safe · protective · warmth
Thin woody shoots
- strawTube for sipping
- mudWet soil mixture
- mossSpore-bearing ground cover
- feathersBird's lightweight covering
weave · interlace · fiber · twining · lining · cup-shaped · platform · woven
Mechanism linking engine to gearbox
- incubationDevelopment before emergence
- hatchlingRecently emerged young
- fledglingInexperienced newcomer
- shellHard outer covering
chick · brooding · laying · pipping · embryo · yolk · warmth · tending
Small orange-breasted thrush
- sparrowSmall brown urban bird
- eagleLarge predatory bird
- hummingbirdSmall nectar-feeding hoverer
- weaverThread-interlacing craftsperson
oriole · swallow · stork · osprey · magpie · crow · wren · finch
refuge
Place of safety
retreat · cozy · snug · shelter · nurturing · security · safe · protective · warmth · comfort
twigs
Thin woody shoots
feathers · weave · interlace · fiber · twining · lining · cup-shaped · platform · woven · grass
clutch
Mechanism linking engine to gearbox
- incubationDevelopment before emergence
- hatchlingRecently emerged young
- fledglingInexperienced newcomer
shell · chick · brooding · laying · pipping · embryo · yolk · warmth · tending · hatching
robin
Small orange-breasted thrush
- sparrowSmall brown urban bird
- eagleLarge predatory bird
- hummingbirdSmall nectar-feeding hoverer
weaver · oriole · swallow · stork · osprey · magpie · crow · wren · finch · warbler
treetop
Uppermost branches
cavity · ledge · cliff · eaves · chimney · burrow · reed · marsh · ground · hedge
swiftlet
Small tropical cave bird
Chinese · collagen · gelatinous · harvested · cave · expensive · tonic · medicinal · texture · broth