What You Need to Know About Bird Nests

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

It’s officially spring and nesting season is upon us! It’s such an exciting time for bird lovers alike, to watch the behaviours, colours, and calls that go along with breeding. Something that’s bound to pop up during nesting season is questions surrounding the locations of birds nests. Sometimes - they put them in the strangest spots!



Yellow Warbler in nest. Photo by Heather Kerrison.



I have personally spoke to people who have had nests built in a wreath on their front door seemingly overnight. A nest built in a helmet hanging on a bike handle. Nests built in kitchen exhausts vents. Nests built on balconies. 


Sometimes this is paired with aggressive and defensive behaviour from the owners of the nest. Ever been dive bombed? 


The question then becomes - what do you do if a bird builds a nest that you feel you need to move?

The short answer is, it’s complicated. 


The Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA) and Migratory Birds Regulations (MBR) protects migratory birds, their eggs, and their nests from harm. Without a permit you may not: capture, injure, or harass a migratory bird, destroy or disturb an egg OR damage, destroy, or remove a nest UNLESS the nest does not contain a live migratory bird or viable egg. Some species are further protected under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), and even nests that are not in use are protected as there is a chance for them to be reused in subsequent years. 


So, what do you do?

  • If the nest has just begun being built and the species is not a species at risk or Schedule 1 bird, remove all nesting material, clean and block the area to prevent any further building 
  • Wait it out. Many eggs hatch within 14 days, with a period of 1-2 weeks following where the bird will care for the nestlings. As much as it seems inconvenient, its a very small amount of time to allow another species to raise their young. Once the nest is unoccupied, as long as it’s not a SARA or Schedule 1 species, you can remove the nest, clean, and block the area. 

Can you move a nest to a new spot?

No. Birds are very particular about where they place their nests. Moving a nest even a few feet away (if it already has eggs or nestlings) can cause the parents to abandon the nest. Birds lack a sense of smell to 'find' their young, and have no ability to pick up nestlings and move them.  

Cliff Swallow nest. Photo by Heather Kerrison.


If you find a nestling songbird not in its nest, refer to this page by Toronto Wildlife Centre. 

To help nesting birds, try offering the following:

  • Suet: Many people believe suet should only be offered in the winter, but it is actually a very important source of food for many returning and nesting species. High-quality, high-protein suet like our SuperSuet is a great source of nutrition for migrating birds, and many species including Brown Thrashers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and warbler species can be found re-fuelling on suet upon their return. For those worried about suet spoiling in the heat of the summer, we carry a variety of No-Melt options to ensure the birds stay healthy and happy. 
  • Live mealworms: Mealworms are high in protein and make an excellent source of food for both growing chicks and tired parent birds. Offering live mealworms can be a game-changer when it comes to feeding birds during nesting season. To learn more about offering live mealworms to your backyard birds, click here
  • WBU Nesting SuperBlend: This blend is formulated with nesting birds in mind, providing essential protein and calcium to help parent and baby birds develop and thrive. Packed full of freeze-dried mealworms, sunflower chips, peanuts, Bark Butter Bits, tree nuts, and calcium, our Nesting SuperBlend is the perfect mix to offer during this high-stress period. 

Happy nesting!!



Warmly, 



Heather

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