Soft Sharpie cotton nesting material for cage and aviary birds. Short pieces of white cotton fibre that birds pull into the nest as the soft lining, the comfortable layer that sits over the structural build.

Cotton is what breeders reach for to finish a nest. It is soft, warm and birds take to it readily through the breeding season. Use it on its own, or as the lining over jute or a felt pad in a nest pan so the eggs are not sitting on bare fibre.

It suits canaries and serins, British finches and mules, zebra and Bengalese finches, and many softbills and waxbills. Waxbills in particular favour a white nesting material. It is lining material rather than a finished nest, so pair it with a nest pan and a pad for the base.

Offer it in short lengths and pull out any long strands. Loose fibre that is too long can wrap around toes and legs, so check the nest once the hen has built and clear away the excess.

• Material: soft white cotton fibre
• Use: nest lining and finishing
• Suitable for: canaries, serins, British and mule finches, zebra and Bengalese finches, softbills, waxbills