Today’s mystery builder is the Noisy Friarbird, known scientifically as Philemon corniculatus, and our mystery object is a nest!

Females build large, deep, cup-shaped nests in which to lay their eggs. This nest has been flattened a little in storage, but you can still see the different bits and pieces that a female has used in the nest. She alone incubates the eggs, but both parents feed the young, for up to three weeks after fledging (i.e. leaving the nest). Noisy friarbirds are large birds (30-35cm) and are often found in noisy flocks with other honeyeaters. If you search for some images of the noisy friarbird and check out its amazing hair-do (or lack thereof) – you’ll no doubt be able to guess where the common name of noisy friarbird came from!