Cavity-nesting birds decorate with snake skin to deter predators. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 12, 2025 from www.sciencedaily.com / releases / 2025 / 01 / 250116133604.htm. Cornell University.

When a bird drapes its nest with snake skin, it isn’t just making an interesting décor choice. Cornell University researchers find that for some birds, it keeps predators at bay.

Of the sites, 60 were nest boxes—to simulate cavity nests—and the remaining 80 were inactive open-cup American robin nests. Snake skins—provided from a local snake breeder—were placed in ...