Natural History

Found this nest next to my car last evening when on my way to a meeting. It was most likely dislodged from nearby branches by the strong winds we've been experiencing of late. 

Belonging to Zosterops Japonicus and commonly referred to as Mejiro, Japanese White-Eye or Silver Finch, I've learned that construction of this nest can take 7-10 days. A combination of spider webs, grass, coconut fibers, lichens, moss and mammal hair (this one appears to use shed hair from my dog)are the materials used. They are delicate and intricately woven.

This one contained the fully feathered remains of a fledgling either left behind to starve or unable to extract itself from the nest when it was dislodged by the wind.