Finding a bird nest in your dryer vent, on your porch light, or tucked into your hanging fern can be a nuisance. As a professional wildlife control company, we get these calls daily. While your first instinct might be to move the nest to a “better” spot, there are legal and biological realities you need to understand.
1. The Speed of a Nest: From First Stick to First Egg
Many homeowners wait too long to act because they assume nest-building is a slow process. In reality, birds are incredibly efficient. A pair of birds can scout a location and complete a nest in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
Depending on the species, the first egg can be laid as soon as the nest is finished—sometimes by the very next morning. This is critical because once that first egg is laid, your options change legally. You should perform a “perimeter check” of your home every evening. If you see a few sticks starting to pile up in a vent or on a light fixture, remove them immediately. You must be more persistent than the bird; they may try to rebuild several times in the same day.
Call us – We Can Help!
(678)935-5900
2. Nestling vs. Fledgling: Know the Difference
If you find a bird on the ground, the “rescue” might do more harm than good.
- Nestlings: These are very young birds with little to no feathers. They belong in the nest. If you find one, try to locate the nest and put it back. It is a myth that parents will reject a baby because of human scent; they simply want their baby back.
- Fledglings: These are feathered “teenagers” learning to fly. They may hop on the ground or perch low in bushes. Their parents are almost certainly nearby, watching and feeding them. Mom is the best rehabber. Birds do not do well in rehab because humans cannot replicate the frequency of feeding and “flight school” provided by parent birds.
3. The Legal Reality: Fines and Federal Protection
Almost all birds in North America are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). This makes it a federal crime to move or destroy a nest once it contains eggs or young.
- The Exceptions: Only three common species are generally unprotected: House Sparrows, European Starlings, and Rock Pigeons.
- The Consequences: In Georgia, DNR game wardens take these laws seriously. Violating the MBTA can result in significant federal fines.
- Professional Integrity: A reputable, licensed wildlife company will not move a protected nest. If a company claims they can “just move it,” they are likely unlicensed, which puts the homeowner at legal risk. Once the eggs are there, the only legal solution is to wait the 2 to 3 weeks it takes for the birds to fledge and leave on their own.
4. Why “Relocating” a Nest Doesn’t Work
We are often asked to move a nest to a nearby tree. Unfortunately, birds are programmed to return to a very specific set of coordinates. If you move a nest even 10 feet away, the parents will often return to the original spot, find the nest “gone,” and abandon the chicks. The best chance for the birds’ survival is to leave the nest exactly where it is until they are old enough to fly away.
Summary: The Professional Strategy
The only time you have total control is before the eggs arrive.
- Monitor: Watch for activity in vents, gutters, and light fixtures.
- Act Fast: Remove nesting materials immediately if you see them starting to build.
- Wait it Out: If eggs are already present, be patient. The birds will be gone in a few weeks.
- Exclusion: Once the birds have left, call a professional to clean the area and install bird-proof covers or deterrents to ensure they don’t return next year.
Have a bird problem that hasn’t resulted in a nest yet? Contact us today for professional exclusion services to bird-proof your home.
FOUND A BABY BIRD? Here is a INFOGRAPHIC to help you.
Call us – We Can Help!
(678)935-5900