Some of the most impressive include massive termite mounds reaching up to 30 feet, the enormous communal nests of sociable weavers in Africa, and bald eagle nests that can span nearly 3 metres wide and 6 metres deep, weighing over two tons.
Other remarkable structures include cone-shaped flamingo mud nests, the ever-expanding stick nests of storks, and the intricate saliva-built nests of edible-nest swiftlets.
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Supersized animal homes
Mallee fowl mounds
This ground-dwelling bird constructs enormous mounds of soil and decaying vegetation to incubate its eggs, using the natural heat from decomposition to regulate temperature.
Termite mounds
Some of the most impressive animal-built structures are termite mounds. Built by millions of termites, these fungal-like structures can tower up to 30 feet high and feature sophisticated ventilation systems to maintain temperature and humidity for the colony.
Ant hills
In Central and South America, the interconnected labyrinth of brood chambers, fungus gardens (using those cut leaves as compost) storage silos and waste storage facilities of leafcutter ants can reach the size of a tennis court. Experiments in which latex or plaster is poured into these tunnels, then excavated, have revealed structures the size of camper vans, suggesting colony populations of six million ants.
However, the largest colonies may be those of the Argentine ant Linepithema humile, an invasive ‘tramp’ species native to South America. In North America, Japan, Australia, South Africa and Europe, where the species has been accidentally introduced, neighbouring colonies have mingled and united to form supercolonies.
One supercolony in Europe spans 6000 km of the coasts of Portugal, Spain, France and Italy and contains millions of interconnected nests and countless billions of happily cooperating sisters.
Massive nests
Several species are known for building massive nests. The largest individual bird nest belongs to the bald eagle, weighing nearly two tons.
Bald eagle nests
The bald eagle, a striking bird of prey, is famed for constructing the largest nests of any bird species.
A bald eagle’s nest, or aerie, is a vast structure of interwoven sticks, often exceeding 5 feet across and 3 feet deep. Built high in tall trees or perched on cliffs near water, these enormous nests can take years to reach their full size.
Sociable weaver nests
Sociable weavers construct huge communal nests that can shelter up to 500 birds, and other species like Hammerkops and European hornets also create large, intricate structures.
The nests contain dozens of individual chambers, with sturdy twigs forming the outer structure and grasses woven together to create the partitions. Spiky plant stalks are often incorporated to guard the entrances against predators, while the nesting chambers themselves are lined with soft materials such as leaves, animal hair, cotton seeds, and other scavenged fluff.
Flamingo nests
Flamingos build cone-shaped mud mounds, reaching up to 60 cm (2 feet) high, designed to keep their single egg safe from flooding, extreme heat, and predators.
Using their bills, both male and female flamingos scoop and pile mud to form the nest, then share incubation duties in alternating 12-hour shifts. Once the chick hatches, the parents continue to care for it, with the nest serving as a secure base for protection and early development.
Stork nests
Built from sticks on trees, poles, and rooftops, these nests grow larger each year as pairs return to the same site. Some storks, quite daftly, construct nests on the top of chimney pots.
Hammerkop nests
The Hammerkop builds impressive, shed-sized nests from interwoven sticks, complete with internal chambers and a roof that shields the nest from rain.
Hornet nests
Large hornets, such as the European or Asian hornet, create sizeable nests that can reach dimensions comparable to a football, demonstrating remarkable architectural skill for an insect species.
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