Finding a bird’s nest in an inconvenient location around your home often raises a common question: is it permissible to move it? While the sight of nesting birds can be delightful, nests in high-traffic areas or structures can raise concerns. Understanding the implications of disturbing a bird’s nest involves considering legal protections, the welfare of the birds, and available alternatives.
Understanding Legal Protections
Most wild birds and their nests are protected by law, making it generally illegal to disturb or move them. In the United States, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) prohibits taking, possessing, or selling any migratory bird, or parts, nests, or eggs without a valid permit. This law protects active nests, defined as those containing eggs or chicks. The MBTA applies to over 1,000 species, including many common backyard birds.
Similarly, in the United Kingdom, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offense to intentionally kill, injure, or take any wild bird, or to intentionally take, damage, or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. This protection also extends to eggs. Canada’s Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA) protects the nests, eggs, and young of most bird species from harassment, harm, or destruction, prohibiting disturbance or destruction of migratory bird nests on all lands when they contain a live bird or viable egg. These laws apply even if the nest is on private property and can carry significant penalties for violations.
Consequences for Birds
Moving a bird’s nest can have significant negative impacts on the nesting birds and their offspring. Relocating a nest, even a short distance, frequently leads to abandonment by the parent birds, risking the survival of eggs or chicks. Studies suggest that nearly 80% of birds may abandon their nest if it is moved. This abandonment can occur because birds have a precise sense of location and may not recognize a relocated nest as their own.
Disturbance can also expose vulnerable eggs or young to predators and harsh weather elements. Nests are strategically built in locations that offer camouflage, shelter, and proximity to food sources, and moving a nest disrupts these carefully chosen conditions. Human activity, including loud noises or significant habitat alterations, can stress parent birds, potentially resulting in nest abandonment. This disruption can interrupt the birds’ breeding cycles and endanger the survival of the young.
When Moving a Nest is Unavoidable
There are extremely rare circumstances where moving a bird’s nest might be considered, but this should always be a last resort and involve expert consultation. Situations typically involve an immediate and unavoidable threat to human safety or property, or imminent danger to the birds themselves. For instance, a nest built inside an active dryer vent, a car’s tailpipe, or on equipment that must be used, such as a grill or lawnmower, could pose an immediate threat. A nest blocking ventilation systems or located near flammable materials might also be considered.
In such situations, it is crucial to contact local wildlife authorities, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, or an animal control professional. These experts possess the knowledge and permits to assess the situation and, if necessary, attempt a relocation. They might carefully move the nest a very short distance, attempting to keep it within the parents’ visual range, or construct a temporary auxiliary nest nearby. However, even with professional intervention, there is a risk that parent birds may still abandon the nest.
Alternative Actions
Instead of moving a nest, there are several practical and proactive steps to take that prioritize bird welfare and legal compliance. The most straightforward approach is to wait until the birds have naturally left the nest. Small songbirds typically fledge within two to three weeks, though larger birds like raptors might stay for eight to ten weeks, and some species even longer. Once the nest is confirmed inactive, it can often be removed.
During the active nesting period, temporary measures can help protect the nest in its current location. This might involve placing signs to alert people to the nest’s presence, roping off an area to reduce disturbance, or delaying maintenance until after the nesting season. For future prevention, installing deterrents before nesting season begins can discourage birds from nesting in undesirable spots. This includes sealing holes and openings with mesh or wire, installing bird spikes on ledges, or hanging reflective objects like CDs or wind chimes. Providing alternative, more suitable nesting sites, such as birdhouses in sheltered areas, can also encourage birds to nest elsewhere.