Which migratory bird builds mud nests on cliffs and under bridges?

Which migratory bird builds mud nests on cliffs and under bridges?

• A. Common raven
• B. Japanese white-eye
• C. Cliff swallow
• D. Short-tailed pygmy tyrant

Answer: (C)

Understanding nesting behavior and migratory patterns helps identify this bird. Cliff swallows migrate and are famous for making mud nests on cliffs and under bridges. They collect mud pellets to form gourd-shaped nests that cling to vertical surfaces and are often built in colonies. This matches both the material (mud) and the site (cliffs, bridges) described. The other species don’t fit: ravens build large stick nests in trees or on ledges and aren’t defined by mud nests on cliffs or bridges; Japanese white-eyes nest in shrubs or trees with lighter materials rather than mud on vertical structures; short-tailed pygmy tyrants are tropical and not known for this nesting style. So the best match is cliff swallow.

Understanding nesting behavior and migratory patterns helps identify this bird. Cliff swallows migrate and are famous for making mud nests on cliffs and under bridges. They collect mud pellets to form gourd-shaped nests that cling to vertical surfaces and are often built in colonies. This matches both the material (mud) and the site (cliffs, bridges) described. The other species don’t fit: ravens build large stick nests in trees or on ledges and aren’t defined by mud nests on cliffs or bridges; Japanese white-eyes nest in shrubs or trees with lighter materials rather than mud on vertical structures; short-tailed pygmy tyrants are tropical and not known for this nesting style. So the best match is cliff swallow.