Discover the Hidden World of Bird Nests and Eggs with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

New self-paced, online course explores nests and eggs just in time for spring 

April 6, 2026

ITHACA, N.Y.—In North America, spring has sprung—birds are singing, flowers are blooming, and soon birds will start building nests and raising their young. Spring is an exciting time to witness nature come back to life, but the captivating drama of nest construction and chick-rearing is often hidden from our view. Those intimate moments are often difficult to observe in the wild, but a new course released today from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology pulls back the curtain on this secretive world. This self-paced online course takes you behind the scenes to discover the fascinating biology of nests, eggs, and the complex behaviors that make successful breeding possible, allowing you to fully experience the wonder of spring’s most remarkable phenomenon.

If you love to discover cool bird behaviors, fascinating science, and baby birds, you won’t want to miss The Hidden World of Nests and Eggs. This new online course from the Cornell Lab’s Bird Academy showcases the incredible realm of nests, eggs, and chicks from all around the world. With expert instructor Robyn Bailey as your guide, you’ll discover the wide variety of eggs and nests and unpack the behaviors and strategies that help baby birds thrive. 

Sign up early on Bird Academy to celebrate this course’s hatching day for just $47.99 and save 20%.

The course includes beautiful videos, detailed lessons, and engaging interactives on 24 topics all about nests and nesting behavior. Discover how birds design and build various types of nests, learn about the unique characteristics of eggs, and understand how and why they vary from species to species. Explore nesting behaviors from incubation to fledging, and so much more. Go at your own pace and review as often as you like. 

“Every time I watch a bird build a nest, or feed their young, I’m continually in awe,” says Robyn Bailey, NestWatch project leader and course instructor. “Around the world, birds meet the challenges of nesting with ingenious adaptations you can hardly imagine! . . Join me as we reveal the best-kept secrets of spring, hiding in plain sight.”

You won’t want to miss this chance to deepen your appreciation of birds, their incredible beginnings, and amazing resilience. Sign up today and save 20%. Offer expires April 27, 2026. 

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About the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a nonprofit, member-supported organization dedicated to the understanding and protection of birds, wildlife, and our shared planet through research, education, participatory science, and conservation. birds.cornell.edu

Media Contact:

Kathi Borgmann, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, (607) 254-2137, klb274@cornell.edu