in a startling revelation from our latest ornithological research, we've discovered that certain bird species engage in what we might call pre-committal rituals before they start over again with a new nesting site; this has long been a secret of the avian world. during these rituals, birds exclude specific materials from their nests, almost as if they were editing unwanted text from a carefully crafted manuscript. this behavior underlines the intricate and previously underappreciated complexities of avian life strategies.