This is Birdnought.

Birds eggs are among nature's most elegant creations, but they're not easy to make.

This American Robin will lay one egg per day for three to four days.

To make her eggs, the female Robin has to use a great deal of calcium.

But she can't just pour herself a nice big glass of milk?

She has to find her calcium in nature, and it can be tough to find enough.

But we can help.

During the nesting season, we can give the birds that visit our homes some of that crucial

calcium.

Start off by putting calcium-enriched seed and suet in your bird feeders.

For the many species that don't eat seed or suet, like Robbins, you can give them leftover

chicken egg shells instead.

Once the shells off in the sink, spread them out in a cookie sheet and bake them in the

oven at about 250 degrees for 10 minutes.

You just want the shells to dry, not brown.

When you're done, crush them up.

Crushed egg shells can be mixed with bird seed and set out in a feeding tray or scattered

right on the open ground.

And remember, always wash your hands after handling raw eggs.

Today's show brought to us by The Bobbling Foundation.

I'm Michael Stein.