0:00:04 > 0:00:08# If you've got a question And you don't know where to go
0:00:08 > 0:00:11# Ask Nina for some help Cos she's got a science show
0:00:11 > 0:00:14# She makes sense of our senses While helping all her fans
0:00:14 > 0:00:17# By doing her experiments With potions and with bangs
0:00:17 > 0:00:18- # Touch your tongue - Tongue
0:00:18 > 0:00:20- # Fingers - Fingers
0:00:20 > 0:00:21- # Eyes - Eyes
0:00:21 > 0:00:22- # Ears - Ears
0:00:22 > 0:00:23- # Nose - Nose
0:00:23 > 0:00:26# Nina and the Neurons find out what you need to know
0:00:26 > 0:00:29# Nina and the Neurons find out what you need to know
0:00:29 > 0:00:32# Luke he helps us with our eyes And Felix with our touch
0:00:32 > 0:00:36# Ollie sniffs out smells and scents And Belle she hears so much
0:00:36 > 0:00:38# Bud is Ollie's brother He helps us with our taste
0:00:38 > 0:00:42# They're Nina's little Neurons And they're coming to your place
0:00:42 > 0:00:43- # Touch your tongue - Tongue
0:00:43 > 0:00:44- # Fingers - Fingers
0:00:44 > 0:00:45- # Eyes - Eyes
0:00:45 > 0:00:46- # Ears - Ears
0:00:46 > 0:00:48- # Nose - Nose
0:00:48 > 0:00:51# Nina and the Neurons find out what you need to know
0:00:51 > 0:00:53# Nina and the Neurons find out what you need to know
0:00:53 > 0:00:55# Oh, yeah! #
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Oh, ah! Oh, hello there!
0:00:59 > 0:01:01I've just been weaving this basket
0:01:01 > 0:01:03because it looks a bit like a bird's nest.
0:01:03 > 0:01:10OK, Mrs Bird, now your eggs will be nice and cosy and safe.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12- BEEPING - Oh!
0:01:12 > 0:01:17I hear a beep, I see a flash, I wonder what they're going to ask.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23- BOTH: Hi, Nina!- Hi!
0:01:23 > 0:01:26We've got a question for you.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28How do birds build nests?
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Oh, that's a great question!
0:01:31 > 0:01:33How do birds build nests?
0:01:33 > 0:01:37Birds' nests are amazing structures but how do they build them?
0:01:37 > 0:01:41Why don't you come down to my workshop and we'll investigate?
0:01:41 > 0:01:43BOTH: See you soon, Nina! Bye!
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Bye!
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Well, I'm going to need some help to answer this one
0:01:48 > 0:01:50and I know just who to ask.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52OK, Neurons, time to get to work.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10ALL: Neurons at the ready, Nina!
0:02:10 > 0:02:14OK, today's question is, how do birds build nests?
0:02:14 > 0:02:16Which Neuron do you think will be most useful
0:02:16 > 0:02:18in helping us find the answer?
0:02:20 > 0:02:21It's Luke!
0:02:21 > 0:02:22CHEERING
0:02:22 > 0:02:26ALL: Go, Luke! Go, Luke! Go, Luke!
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Go, Luke! Go, Luke! Go, Luke! Go, Luke! Go, Luke! Go, Luke!
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Cool, Nina! I'll be looking out to help you!
0:02:33 > 0:02:37Today's question is, how do birds build nests?
0:02:37 > 0:02:40Because birds have to look for different materials
0:02:40 > 0:02:43to build their nests, Luke will be helping us today.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Stand by, Neurons. I've a feeling I may need help from all of you.
0:02:47 > 0:02:53I need to get the workshop ready before the experimenters arrive.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55Ebrima likes break dancing.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Maheen loves chapattis.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02But they both want to know, how do birds build nests?
0:03:03 > 0:03:09So today, for one day only, Ebrima and Maheen become the experimenters!
0:03:15 > 0:03:17- Hi, guys!- BOTH: Hi, Nina!
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Welcome to my workshop and thank you for your great question,
0:03:21 > 0:03:23how do birds build nests?
0:03:23 > 0:03:27I just happen to have some birds' nests here. Let's have a look.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30We're safe to touch these nests because the birds
0:03:30 > 0:03:32have finished with them and they're clean
0:03:32 > 0:03:35but normally you must never touch nests.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37So what do you notice about them?
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- They are all different.- That's right!
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Different birds build their nests in different ways.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47And, do you know, birds don't live in their nests, they only
0:03:47 > 0:03:51build them so that they've got somewhere safe to lay their eggs?
0:03:51 > 0:03:55Most birds build a new nest each year. So let's have a look here.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59Now, this is a blackbird's nest. Can you see what it's made of?
0:03:59 > 0:04:00Twigs.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04Yes! And the twigs are all pushed in-between each other
0:04:04 > 0:04:07so they cross over and under like weaving a basket
0:04:07 > 0:04:09and that helps them to stick together.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12This is a reed warbler's nest.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15Now, it's built by weaving together
0:04:15 > 0:04:17bits of fresh bendy grass.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20And over here we have a long-tailed tit's nest
0:04:20 > 0:04:22and it's made from soft moss
0:04:22 > 0:04:27and fluffy spiders' webs and it's even got feathers inside it.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30So it's like a cosy sleeping bag for the eggs.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34- How do birds build their nest? - That's a great question!
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Let's do an experiment to find out!
0:04:36 > 0:04:39ALL: Whoop, whoop! An experiment!
0:04:39 > 0:04:41We're ready, Nina!
0:04:41 > 0:04:44So these sticks are going to be our twigs
0:04:44 > 0:04:47and these balls are going to be our pretend eggs.
0:04:47 > 0:04:48Now, we are going to try
0:04:48 > 0:04:52and build the base of a nest that will hold the eggs using this
0:04:52 > 0:04:55wire frame and we need to make sure there are no holes
0:04:55 > 0:04:59that the eggs can fall through. So, let's go!
0:05:00 > 0:05:02Go for it!
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Good!
0:05:14 > 0:05:15That looks great!
0:05:15 > 0:05:19So you weaved all the twigs together and that helps them
0:05:19 > 0:05:23to stay in place and makes sure that the base stays together.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25I think we need to test it out.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28OK, so do you want to take two of our eggs, OK?
0:05:28 > 0:05:31On you go. Oh! It held it!
0:05:35 > 0:05:37- So did it work?- Yes.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39It did work, yes.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Lots of birds build their nests just like this.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46So birds build nests to keep their eggs safe.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50Some birds build nests by pushing twigs together to make sure
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- they stay in place. - Well-remembered, Neurons.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Where do birds build their nests?
0:05:55 > 0:05:57That's a great question
0:05:57 > 0:06:01and to find out I think we need to visit a special type of building.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11Hmmm, where do you think we're going today?
0:06:11 > 0:06:16- Nina said it's a special type of building.- Maybe it's a big palace.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Maybe it's a big wheel!
0:06:18 > 0:06:23We're here, Neurons, but it doesn't look much like a big wheel.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27So I have brought you to this special building to find out
0:06:27 > 0:06:32where birds build their nests. So what type of building is this?
0:06:32 > 0:06:36- A treehouse.- That's right, a house that's built up a tree.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- Now, do you know what's holding the treehouse up?- Branches.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Yeah, the treehouse is resting in the branches of the tree
0:06:44 > 0:06:48and lots of birds build their nests in trees or in other places
0:06:48 > 0:06:52like bushes, so that predators like foxes and cats can't find them.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54The nest might fall out of the tree!
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Don't worry, Felix, birds try to make sure their nests
0:06:57 > 0:07:01are secure by building them in a particular part of the tree.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05Let's do an experiment to find out how it works.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09We are going to pretend that you guys are birds.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- So let me hear you say hello. - BOTH: Hello!
0:07:12 > 0:07:16Hee-hee-hee-hee! We're also going to pretend that this is our tree.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17Let's have a look at it.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- Where do you think would be the best bit to build your nest?- Here.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Ah, so not here?
0:07:24 > 0:07:28- No.- And why not? - Because it will fall out.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32That's right, birds build their nests where the branches meet
0:07:32 > 0:07:35because the branches help to hold up the nest.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38But, Nina, birds don't have hands to build with.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41That's right, Luke, birds build their nests using
0:07:41 > 0:07:43their beaks and feet.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47So, experimenters, do you think you can build a secure nest
0:07:47 > 0:07:50in this tree here with all the things that are lying around
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- using just your beaks? - BOTH: Yeah.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Let's get building!
0:07:55 > 0:08:00OK, maybe some big twigs to start with the base, that's it.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Now, get some smaller sticks and let's push them
0:08:03 > 0:08:08in-between each other, that helps to hold them together.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10- That's it.- Waaa!
0:08:12 > 0:08:16- Well done! How was that? - BOTH: Fun!- Ha-ha, good!
0:08:16 > 0:08:20Isn't it amazing that birds just use their beaks and their feet
0:08:20 > 0:08:22to make such complicated nests?
0:08:22 > 0:08:25You guys were working together to build the nest,
0:08:25 > 0:08:28that's just like birds, they often work together in pairs.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33OK, we've a nice safe and secure nest but there's something else that
0:08:33 > 0:08:37birds do to make their nests extra safe from predators like Mr Fox.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- What do you think that might be? - Hide them.- Yes!
0:08:40 > 0:08:45So let's make our nest look green by using this moss.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Here you go, take some moss.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53Well done, experimenters.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56You've built a great nest. It's nice and secure
0:08:56 > 0:09:00and it's hidden with moss, so Mr Fox can't see it.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04So our eggs will be safe!
0:09:04 > 0:09:05Ho-ho!
0:09:05 > 0:09:08There you go.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Lots of birds build their nests in trees,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13they wedge them between the branches.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17They sometimes cover them with moss, so they can't be seen.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21- Thanks, Neurons.- Why do some birds put feathers in their nest?
0:09:21 > 0:09:23That's a great question.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Some birds put feathers in their nest to keep warm
0:09:26 > 0:09:29but there's another important reason too.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32To find out, let's do another experiment.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35We have some orange balloons in here.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37We're going to pretend they are our eggs.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41We also have the basket, which is our pretend nest.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- Now, what do birds do to keep their eggs warm?- Sit on them.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46You're absolutely right.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Let's see what happens if we press down gently onto the eggs,
0:09:50 > 0:09:52just like we are birds sitting on top.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Let's see what happens.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56- POPPING - Oh! Ho-ho!
0:09:56 > 0:09:57POPPING
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- Ha-ha!- Keep pressing.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03- Ah-ha! What happened? - They popped!- Yeah!
0:10:03 > 0:10:07So the weight of the bird is pushing the eggs against the spiky twigs
0:10:07 > 0:10:09and it's damaging them.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12What could we do to make the inside of the nest softer
0:10:12 > 0:10:13to protect our eggs?
0:10:13 > 0:10:17- Feathers.- Great idea! Let's put some feathers in! Ho-ho!
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- Hee-hee-hee!- Hee-hee!
0:10:24 > 0:10:28Excellent work. The inside of our nest looks much softer now.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30I think we need to get some more eggs.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37OK, let's see what happens when we push down this time.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Yay! It worked! Our eggs are safe.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Even though we were pushing down,
0:10:52 > 0:10:56the soft feathers has stopped the twigs from damaging them.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01Birds also use other soft materials like moss and mud and leaves.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05Because baby chicks don't have any feathers when they're born,
0:11:05 > 0:11:09these soft materials protect them from being scratched by twigs.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14So some birds line their nests with soft materials like feathers
0:11:14 > 0:11:17to protect their eggs from damage.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20And to help keep their baby chicks warm and safe.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23That's right, Neurons.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25# Nina and the Neurons. #
0:11:27 > 0:11:31So your question was, how do birds build nests?
0:11:31 > 0:11:33I think we've answered it.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36Birds build nests to keep their eggs safe.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39They often build them high up in the trees
0:11:39 > 0:11:41to keep them away from predators.
0:11:41 > 0:11:46They push the twigs together to make sure they stay in place.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49Sometimes they cover their nest in moss to hide it.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52And they often line their nests with feathers
0:11:52 > 0:11:55to protect the eggs and chicks.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57So I hope that's answered your question.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00BOTH: Thanks, Nina. Bye!
0:12:00 > 0:12:01You're welcome. Bye!
0:12:04 > 0:12:08If you want to know more about the science that's all around us,
0:12:08 > 0:12:11go to the Nina section on the CBeebies website.
0:12:11 > 0:12:12Have fun!
0:12:12 > 0:12:15# Super structures Super structures
0:12:15 > 0:12:18# Super structures Super structures
0:12:18 > 0:12:19# Super structures
0:12:19 > 0:12:23# Some of them are tall Some of them are wide
0:12:23 > 0:12:26# They're bumpy, lumpy, wiggly too
0:12:26 > 0:12:28# Wiggly too
0:12:28 > 0:12:31# Some of them are strong Some of them are small
0:12:31 > 0:12:32# Like me!
0:12:32 > 0:12:35# They're windy, whirly, whooshy too
0:12:35 > 0:12:38# All around Look over here!
0:12:38 > 0:12:42# Build it, stack it Pile it up
0:12:42 > 0:12:44# Come on, let's get building
0:12:44 > 0:12:46# Building, building, building
0:12:46 > 0:12:50# Race it, hold it Make it stick
0:12:50 > 0:12:54# Come on, let's get building
0:12:54 > 0:12:57# Come on, let's get building
0:12:59 > 0:13:03# Some of them are cosy warm Some of them are chilly
0:13:03 > 0:13:06# Keep us safe and hide us too
0:13:06 > 0:13:08# Hide us too
0:13:08 > 0:13:12# Some of them are just for fun Or help us to stay dry
0:13:12 > 0:13:15# They're underground And high up too
0:13:15 > 0:13:18# Look around Over here
0:13:18 > 0:13:22# Build it, stack it Pile it up
0:13:22 > 0:13:24# Come on, let's get building
0:13:24 > 0:13:26# Building, building, building
0:13:26 > 0:13:29# Race it, hold it Make it stick
0:13:29 > 0:13:33# Come on, let's get building
0:13:33 > 0:13:37# Come on, let's get building!
0:13:37 > 0:13:39# Nina and the Neurons. #
0:13:39 > 0:13:42And remember, there are super structures everywhere.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46Whether they're big or small, wide or tall, we can all get building.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48See you again soon. Bye!
0:13:48 > 0:13:52- ALL: Bye!- Get building!