What is the structural role of spider silk in the female Costa's Hummingbird nest?
Answer
Allows the nest to stretch as nestlings grow
The female Costa's Hummingbird utilizes spider silk specifically to bind the exterior structure of the nest, which is primarily constructed from plant down, such as that from dandelions or thistles. The critical property of the spider silk is its elasticity; it allows the small, cup-shaped structure to expand in size as the nestlings develop and increase in mass, adapting to the growing weight without causing the nest to tear or become structurally unsound.
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