Hoarding in Animal Behavior: Hoarding is a fascinating and common behavior observed in many species. Various animals store food to prepare for potential shortages.
Take squirrels, for instance—they’re well-known for hiding nuts. Similarly, wall mice store seeds. But did you know that fire ants have a unique approach? They store excess food in the warmest sections of their nests to create what can be described as “insect jerky.” Fascinating, right?
Some animals hoard items for their homes, too. Decorator crabs collect various materials—like seaweed, sea anemones, and sponges—to disguise their shells. Bonehouse hornets do something similar, blocking the entrances of their nests with dead ants.
Yet, all of these examples pale in comparison to the impressive hoarding tendencies of the bearded vulture, or Gyphaetus barbatus.
With a wingspan reaching up to 3 meters (10 feet), the bearded vulture ranks among Europe’s largest raptors. These incredible birds typically form lifelong pairs and return to their established cliffside nesting sites annually.
Every breeding season, they enrich their nests with new materials, building impressive layers over time. Remarkably, these locations are often reused across generations, turning some nests into natural time capsules.
In an intriguing study conducted in 2025, scientists investigated 12 ancient abandoned bearded vulture nests in southern Spain. They documented their findings in a research paper, revealing what was discovered.
Besides traditional nesting materials such as sticks and feathers, the researchers uncovered an astonishing 2,483 well-preserved artifacts. Most debris included undigested prey remnants, like hooves and bone fragments, but around 10% consisted of human-made items.
These artifacts included 72 pieces of leather, 129 sections of cloth, a curious basket, a crossbow bolt, and a fragment of a slingshot.
In an appealing twist, a finished sandal and two unfinished sandals were found, known as Agovias. This type of footwear was crafted from fibrous esparto grass, typically lasting several days and undergoing regular repairs.
Many of these artifacts, including sandals, date back to the Middle Ages, a period spanning from the 5th to the late 15th century.
The rationale behind the birds bringing objects to their nests remains unclear. One theory suggests they seek materials to expand their nests, while another posits they have an interest in local history for their chicks.
Once abundant in southern Spain, the bearded vulture faced dramatic declines in the 19th and 20th centuries due to extensive persecution. However, conservation efforts have begun to improve their status, classifying them as a near-threatened species.
Thanks to the unique locations of these historic nests, the artifacts have remained remarkably well-preserved throughout time.
A study detailing these findings states, “The robust structures of western Mediterranean bearded vulture nests and their locations, often in protected sites like caves or rock shelters, provide relatively stable temperatures and humidity, allowing them to function as natural museums.”
This illustrates that the bearded vulture is not merely one of nature’s peculiar animals, but also the guardian of one of the world’s most diverse collections of historical artifacts.
This article addresses the question posed by Jackie Bryce of Chichester: “Are there any animals that hoard treasure?”
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com