News Animals Stinking decorations protect nests By Susan Milius August 28, 2001 at 9:57 am - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to print (Opens in new window) Print The common waxbill’s habit of adorning its nests with fur plucked from carnivore scat turns out to discourage attacks from predators. To line their nests, common waxbills in Africa collect bits of fur from predators’ scat. Schuetz In southern Africa, these songbirds build enclosed grass nests on the ground, explains Justin G.