Editing Nest (section)

===Dinosaurs===
{{see also|Dinosaur egg}}

From the fossil record, it is known that many, or perhaps all, [[dinosaur]]s laid eggs.  Paleontologists have identified a number of features that allow them to distinguish a nesting site from a random clustering of eggs.  Those include regular clustering patterns, the co-occurrence of whole eggs with broken eggs and/or hatchlings, and the occurrence of physical features such as evidence of excavation.<ref name=SDNMH />

[[File:Maiasaura Nest Model.001 - Natural History Museum of London.JPG|thumb|left|''Maiasaura'' probably exhibited great amounts of parental care.]]
The ''[[Oviraptor]]'' nests of [[Mongolia]] are perhaps the most famous case of dinosaur nesting.  One specimen was found fossilized atop a nest in a brooding posture, proving the animal had been poorly named (Oviraptor means "egg taker").<ref name=SDNMH />

A site known as [[Egg Mountain]] in [[Montana]] provides exceptional evidence of dinosaur nesting behavior.  The site features dozens of nests each with 20 or more eggs belonging to the ''[[Maiasaura]]''.  Juvenile teeth at the site exhibit signs of wear, while the leg bones are not developed enough to walk.  This allowed scientists to conclude that the species provided extensive parental care for its young. It is likely the species covered its nests with sand and vegetation to keep them warm and nested in colonies for increased protection.<ref name=SDNMH />