Avian mud nest architecture by self-secreted saliva.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
; 118(3)2021 01 19.
Article
de En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33431685
ABSTRACT
Mud nests built by swallows (Hirundinidae) and phoebes (Sayornis) are stable granular piles attached to cliffs, walls, or ceilings. Although these birds have been observed to mix saliva with incohesive mud granules, how such biopolymer solutions provide the nest with sufficient strength to support the weight of the residents as well as its own remains elusive. Here, we elucidate the mechanism of strong granular cohesion by the viscoelastic paste of bird saliva through a combination of theoretical analysis and experimental measurements in both natural and artificial nests. Our mathematical model considering the mechanics of mud nest construction allows us to explain the biological observation that all mud-nesting bird species should be lightweight.
Mots clés
Texte intégral:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Base de données:
MEDLINE
Sujet principal:
Salive
/
Passeriformes
/
Hirondelles
/
Comportement de nidification
Limites:
Animals
Langue:
En
Journal:
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Année:
2021
Type de document:
Article