Finding a bird’s nest with eggs in an inconvenient spot, such as on a porch light or machinery, often presents a genuine dilemma. Your immediate impulse may be to relocate the nest to a safer or less disruptive location. However, whether you can safely move a bird nest with eggs has a complex answer rooted in legal requirements and the delicate biology of wild birds. Understanding these factors is necessary before taking any action, as an attempt to help can easily result in harm.
The Legal Protection of Nests and Eggs
Moving a nest containing eggs or young birds is prohibited in the United States because nearly all native bird species are protected under a federal law. This statute, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), makes it unlawful to take, possess, transport, or sell any migratory bird, including their parts, nests, or eggs, without proper authorization. The law’s protection extends to over 1,000 species, including common backyard birds like robins, wrens, and doves. Disturbing an active nest in any way is considered a “taking” and can result in significant penalties.
The law strictly prohibits the disturbance of an active nest—one that contains eggs or dependent young—even if its location is inconvenient for human activity. Permits to legally relocate an active nest are rarely granted to the general public and are typically reserved for extreme circumstances involving public safety or specialized research. Exceptions exist for non-native, invasive species like House Sparrows and European Starlings, whose nests and eggs may be removed. However, correctly identifying an active nest belonging to an unprotected species is challenging, so it is usually safer to assume a nest is protected.
Biological Risks of Moving a Nest
The primary reason to avoid moving an active nest, even if legal hurdles were not a factor, is the high probability of causing the parents to abandon their clutch. Birds possess a precise sense of location and orientation for their nest site. Even a slight shift of a few feet can confuse the parents, causing them to cease incubation and abandon the eggs entirely.
Relocation also introduces the risk of disrupting the eggs’ thermal environment. Birds incubate their eggs by maintaining a specific, regulated temperature, typically between 85 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, which is vital for embryonic development. Moving a nest can expose the eggs to rapid temperature fluctuations, such as overheating in direct sun or chilling from a sudden draft, which can halt development. A relocated nest is often less structurally sound or poorly sheltered, making it vulnerable to wind, rain, and predators, compounding the stress on the parents. For altricial species, such as songbirds, the parents’ continuous presence for warmth and feeding is necessary for survival.
Practical Steps for Inconveniently Placed Nests
Since moving an active nest is both illegal and biologically detrimental, the most effective course of action is to exercise patience and protect the nesting area. For most common backyard songbirds, the entire nesting cycle, from the laying of the first egg to the young birds fledging, typically lasts about four to five weeks. The incubation period for small songbirds is often only 10 to 14 days, followed by a similar period before the young are ready to leave.
You can safely minimize disturbance by cordoning off the immediate area, perhaps with temporary barriers or highly visible signs, to alert others to the nest’s presence. This protective measure reduces foot traffic and prevents accidental contact that could scare the parents or damage the nest. If the nest is located on something that must be used, such as a door or a vehicle, try to use an alternative entrance or postpone the use of the item until the young have fledged.
If the nest is in a location facing imminent, unavoidable danger, such as a planned house demolition or tree removal, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or a local conservation agency. These authorized professionals possess the necessary permits and expertise to assess the situation and intervene legally. They can determine if the eggs or young can be safely transferred to a surrogate nest or managed in a specialized facility, which is the only legal and advisable form of intervention.