Nest Egg

Birds usually lay their eggs in nests. Birds build nests from many different materials, including twigs, mud, feathers, and even string! Some birds may even nest in holes in trees or holes in the ground.

All birds lay eggs with hard shells. The egg contains everything the baby bird needs to grow and develop. When the baby bird breaks out of its shell, it is called a “hatchling”. Some hatchlings can live alone right after they are born, but many need to stay with their parents until they’re ready to survive on their own.

Motherly Care

These Wood Duck hatchlings are ready to walk and swim within a few days! But they aren’t ready to leave the nest just yet. They will stay with their mother, who teaches them to find food and shelter, until they are about three months old.

Santee Lakes at Night

What does it mean to be nocturnal? Nocturnal animals are animals that are active at night and sleep during the day. Nocturnal animals may have special adaptations.

While You Were Sleeping . . .

A different world comes alive at night. Raccoons, opossums, coyotes, and skunks are among the most common nocturnal mammals in San Diego. Some birds, including owls, are also nocturnal.

Bats

Bats are the most diverse group of mammals. In fact, more than 25% of mammal species are bats! There are over 1,100 species of bats worldwide.

Blind as a bat? Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind. All bats can see, but some of them also use a special sense called echolocation to help them find their way in the dark.

What Do Bats Eat?

Different species of bats have different diets, and their bodies are specially adapted to their favorite foods. Over 70% of bats eat insects. Others eat fruit, nectar, and even small rodents and fish!

Bats are important! Bats play a number of important roles in natural ecosystems. Nectar-eating bats are important pollinators for many plants, and fruit-eating bats disperse seeds as they fly. Bats also help control insects: one small insectivorous bat can eat over 1,000 insects (such as mosquitoes) in just one hour!