It’s so perfect a subject for public television it almost seems like a parody — a three part series about animal dwellings beginning with the birds nests. As seen on “Nature” (PBS, 8 p.m.), it turns out Ai Weiwei’s birds nest stadium in Beijing has nothing on the intricate designs of the real thing, varying from species to species, careful constructed using only the beak. Ecologist Chris Morgan begins his architectural survey at a Yale gallery dedicated to birds nests and investigates actual structures, on coastal Connecticut and deep in South America. It’s all weirdly fascinating.
“Little Women: L.A.” ( Lifetime, 4 and 5 p.m.) the series about little females in California, gains its second spinoff, this one concentrating on Terra’s pregnancy with Joe. Accordingly, it’s called “Little Women: Terra’s Little Family” (Lifetime, 9 and 9:30 p.m.), which is heralded by the one time special “Terra’s Little Family Special” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.) and followed by the other spinoff, “Little Women: N.Y.” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.).
Florida Georgia Line and Jason DeRulo mentor the remaining seven contestants on “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.). Later, Iggy Azalea performs with Jennifer Hudson and the seven become six.
Your fifth hour of “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.) and the third episode this week gives us the results of Top 20 performances Monday and Tuesday. Watching this show is like a full time job.
“Best Bars in America” (Esquire, 9 p.m.) makes it to D.C. and finds Dram & Grain, the basement bar at Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Adams Morgan.
Juliette has a baby shower on “Nashville” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
Adam has a birthday on “The Goldbergs” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.).
Alex has a boyfriend on “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
“Workaholics” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.) reaches a season finale, but “Big Time in Hollywood, Fl.” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.) goes on strongly.
Things get a little more tense on “Broadchurch” (BBC America, 10 p.m.).
There’d be a crisis on “The Americans” (FX, 10 p.m.) if the wig shop closed.
Gary Sinese guest stars on a new “Criminal Minds” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
The month-long Wednesday night survey of Anthony Quinn movies continues on Turner Classic Movies with “La Strada” (8 p.m.), “Black Gold” (10:15 p.m.), “A Dream of Kings” (midnight), “Requiem for a Heavyweight” (2 a.m.), “Sinbad the Sailor” (2:45 a.m.) and “Larceny, Inc” (5:45 a.m.).
Baseball has St. Louis at Cubs (MLB, 2 p.m.), Boston at Philadelphia (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) and San Diego at Dodgers (ESPN2, 10 p.m.).
NBA action includes Boston at Detroit (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Phoenix at Dallas (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.). In the D-League playoffs, it’s Sioux Falls at Canton (ESPNU, 7 p.m.) and Santa Cruz at Oklahoma City (ESPNU, 9:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Boston at Washington (NBC Sports Network, 8 p.m.) and Dallas at Anaheim (NBC Sports, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Kit Harington, Kat Dennings, Science Bob Pflugfelder. The View: Kathy Griffin, Nick Cannon, Grace Gealey, Raven-Symone & Michelle Collins (rerun). The Talk: Peter Facinelli, Chi-Lan Lieu, Curtis Stone. Ellen DeGeneres: Amy Schumer, Mark Ronson with Mystikal. Wendy Williams: Bryshere Y. Gray (rerun). Meredith Vieira: Sophia Bush, Giuliana Rancic, La La Anthony. Queen Latifah: Terry Bradshaw, Maria Bello, Jeff Leatham (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Ben Stiller, Tove Lo (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Scott Eastwood, Flo Rida. Jimmy Kimmel: Willie Nelson, Colin Hanks, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes (rerun). Seth Meyers: Pharrell Williams, Oscar Isaac, Delta Rae. James Corden: Josh Gad, James Van Der Beek, Jessie Ware. Carson Daly: Mike Epps, Hundred Waters, Irvine Welsh (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Elliot Ackerman, Hugh Masekela. Jon Stewart: Tavis Smiley. Conan O’Brien: Kristen Stewart, Brian Wilson.