This is bird node.

European starlings are a common sight in suburban yards,

waddling methodically through the grass to dig for grubs and other tasty bits.

Watch long enough though, and you may see a starling pause in the hunt to neatly pluck a

marigold or other bright flower and then fly up to deposit the bloom in the nest.

How romantic, but there's more to it.

Ornithologists have found that Starlings regularly adorn their twig nests with fresh vegetation.

The more fragrant the better.

Marigolds of course but also elderberry flowers, yaro leaves,

and even willow bark, of which as your nose will tell you are full of

aromatic chemicals the starlings are actually fumigating their nests. Why? The chemicals have been thought to help discourage pests and parasites.

Scientists have discovered that the smelly plants may offer an even more direct benefit to nestlings by stimulating their immune systems.

It turns out that starlings hatched in well-fumigated nests tend to way more and live longer than those raised without benefit of fragrant herbs.

The gift of flowers, romantic and practical all at once. For Bird Note, I'm Michael Stein. Bird Note gives you the sounds of birds every day, and you can get the sights as well when you

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