Nature — S33E12 — Animal Homes: The Nest

00:00:06 They're our planet's first builders,

00:01:55 it's hard to believe they were fashioned

00:03:16 This one's my favorite.

00:05:08 Now, she needs a special thread to tie it all together.

00:08:03 to a secluded cove on the Connecticut coast.

00:10:46 She retreats, to observe his progress

00:14:31 they mate.

00:17:59 lots of other birds

00:20:23 incubating the eggs,

00:22:41 Not all megapodes build mounds,

00:24:42 generating so much heat that the eggs incubate in place

00:27:00 Yep. I've never actually done this before, believe it or not.

00:28:56 Look at that.

00:30:32 it can be very strong.

00:31:52 And...

00:33:07 We're at 25. - Wow!

00:34:43 It's late May

00:36:35 the ovenbirds drop their guard,

00:38:52 The cowbirds must turn elsewhere.

00:41:09 A mockingbird returns

00:44:06 From the smaller egg, a little cowbird has emerged

00:47:29 has produced two healthy chicks this year

00:49:42 And this is where they'll come back to, this very nest.

00:52:31 visit pbs.org.