07/05/2026
It's a bee hive, it's a termite nest, it's... also a bird nest? That's right, the Gartered Violaceous Trogon frequently chooses to make its nest within both abandoned and active ant, termite, and wasp nests. These resourceful, cavity-nesting birds can be found from central Mexico throughout Central America to northwestern South America.
We don't know why they sometimes choose active insect hives as a nesting spot for certain, but we can make some educated guesses. They might choose partly pre-made nests because the stinging insects are avoided by predators. It’s also possible that insects’ nests camouflage the scent of the trogon’s nest, or that the trogons are conserving energy by allowing the insects to maintain a nest so they don’t have to.
There are so many incredible nests and fascinating nesting behaviors in the world! If you love nests, eggs, and baby birds, be sure to like this share
