Welcome to Fast Facts with Reasons for Hope!
I’m Carl Kerby, and we’re talking about the Australian Brush Turkey.
Did you know that it can take up to 11 months for this bird to build its nest? That’s a long time! The reason it takes so long to build is because of its massive size.
Their nest can be over 3 feet deep and 12 feet across. That’s the world’s largest bird nest!
They use those “large feet” to move this massive amount of plant material and twigs into a large mound. The nest can weigh up to 4,000 pounds! This guy is serious about making his nest!
And that’s because he has to be. If the nest doesn’t pass the inspection by the female, then the male is out of luck. The female … well … likes a big nest.
One reason the size of the nest matters is because these birds don’t sit on their eggs like most birds. No, these mounds of plant material decay, and as they decay, they generate heat. That heat is what incubates the eggs. That’s why they’re also called “incubator birds.”
Even more amazing is that the nest has to be … oh man! Our time is up! We’ll have to talk about that in the next Fast Facts with Reasons for Hope.
Until then … stay bold!
Carl Kerby is the founder of Reasons for Hope and co-creator of the DeBunked apologetic video series. His radio feature, Fast Facts, is heard weekly on VCY America, Saturdays at 9:25 AM Central.
