What bird would build a nest in a hanging pot digging all the soil out through the hole and making a tunnel

Question

This basket is hanging on my veranda and filled with various plants.

It has a drainage hole and I noticed the soil was all on the concrete and today I actually witnessed this bird going in and out pulling all the dirt out and then through the top. What do I do? I can't very well water it and I would love to see eggs laid and little babies emerge. What sort of bird is this. It has a lovely little tune and is only a tiny bird with markings around the face which I unfortunately cannot describe.

Answer 1

Martins. Maybe a Barn Smallow?

Answer 2

Possibly a barn martin.  It has a yellowish belly and dark back.  They eat lots of skeeters and are fun to have around, but can make a mess on your veranda.

Answer 3

Sounds like a 'Swallow' to me.

Nice birds to have around as they eat all the insects and moths around and as like you said, they have a nice song.

They tend to be a bit messy under their nest though (if you know what I mean) so don't have anything under it that you don't want stained.

There are too many types of swallows to determine which one you have but check out this link and you may be able to find out.

http://images.google.com.au/images?hl=en...

this is quite a common one we have in Australia

http://www.mdahlem.net/birds/25/welcomsw...

Answer 4

martins