Birds use many different materials to build nests. Some birds use bits of grass. The tailorbird of Africa and India uses grass to sew leaves together. other birds find twigs and pebbles useful. Building a nest takes time and effort. But some starlings in Australia have had human help. People in Ingham, a town in northern Queensland, cut rope into short lengths. The rope was frayed and dyed in bright colours. Then the pieces were left for the starlings to find. The result pleased the people as well as the birds. In one week the starlings had turned a large tree into a bl of of colour