Vertebrates

Browse our Q&A about birds, eggs, nests, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals of the Central Coast and Channel Islands.

What kind of nest is this?

What kind of nest is this? Large, deep, rounded with a depth of about 2 feet. Made with branches, not sticks. Very close to the ground, with a "front door"

Thank you!

Carol, Valley Center California - January 10, 2021

Curator Response

Hi Carol,

This looks like a squirrel dray to me. That is, it's a nest built by a tree squirrel that isn't a cavity nest inside a hole in a tree. Squirrel drays tend to look messier than birds' nests. As you've noticed, it has a front door. This feature isn't a good one for birds, as it would allow eggs to roll out! So most likely if this nest is active, you would see a Western Gray Squirrel or other tree squirrels visiting it.

Stay curious,

Curator of Vertebrate Zoology Krista Fahy, Ph.D.