How To Move a Birds Nest

By Richard Worden

Birds and their nests are among the most memorable signs of spring in some parts of the world. However, birds don’t necessarily have a sense of privacy, and they tend to build nests in some dangerous places around our homes. So, here's how to move a birds nest safely...

The best way to move a bird’s nest is to wait until the end of the brooding period when the nest is abandoned. You should be careful, however, because, in some countries, the US included, moving a bird’s nest will require a permit if it’s a protected bird family.

In this article, I’ll give an overview of how to move a bird nest in three specific cases: with and without eggs and with baby birds. However, first, I’ll discuss if moving a nest is even legal.

Is It Legal Or Illegal To Move a Bird’s Nest?

So you noticed a bird's nest on your chimney, and since that poses a danger to you and the friendly nest occupants, you decide to relocate the nest to a safer place. Well, depending on where you live, you risk getting fined for moving a nest - even for a noble cause. 

Moving an endangered or migratory bird’s nest is illegal in some countries, including the US, especially if the nest contains eggs or chicks. If you have to relocate a nest and can’t wait for the end of the brooding season, contact authorities and get a permit to relocate the nest. 

In the US, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA) explicitly prohibits people from moving birds’ nests (among other things) if the birds are migratory (that’s about 800 bird species in the US). Therefore, before you climb that chimney to remove a nest, you better make sure it belongs to a crow or some other species not protected by MBTA.

MBTA makes it illegal to relocate any “active” nest, which basically means any nest that’s inhabited by birds and contains eggs or chicks. However, there are some instances when you can move a bird’s nest:

• If the bird’s not protected by the MBTA.
• If the nest is abandoned for a longer period of time.
• If the nest has dead birds or chicks.
• If it’s in a dangerous place.

Now, regarding the last point, I should point out two important things. Firstly, if you think a nest is in a dangerous place and causes harm to humans and birds inside, you still can’t move the nest if it’s a protected bird. In that case, you’ll need to contact the US Fish and Wildlife Service to issue you a permit.

Secondly, dangerous places where people often find nests include:

• Chimneys
• Door wreaths
• Gutters
• Drainpipes
• Balcony
• Power Line
• Parts of buildings under reconstruction

However, remember to always contact either a rescue organization or the designated authority before moving a nest. If it turns out a nest belongs to an endangered species, you won’t be able to move it anyway since those birds only make one nest. 

How To Move a Bird’s Nest Without Eggs

With all the legal stuff covered and out of the way, let’s now see how we can move a nest safely and legally. The last thing we need is getting fined for trying to move some rare bird’s nest. Moving a nest when there aren’t any eggs inside is always the safest option since you won’t harm any birds. So, how to safely move a nest?

How to move a birds nest safely means making sure there aren’t any eggs or birds in it. Since nests can be a health hazard, you should wear protective clothes, gloves, and a mask throughout the process. The best period for moving a nest without eggs is when it’s not the brooding season. 

Let’s now see a step-by-step overview of removing a nest without any eggs inside.

1. Make Sure There Are No Birds Inside the Nest

Many people don’t realize how dangerous some birds can really be, especially when you start going around their nests. Adult birds naturally feel very protective of their neat nest - who wouldn’t be after days of collecting branches, moss, and leaves and building a nest that could be destroyed by humans? 

In any case, you should always move a nest when no birds are around. As a matter of fact, when a nest is completely abandoned, you won’t need any permits to have it moved. So, spend some time “nest-watching” to see when birds usually fly away from the nest or to see if it’s abandoned. 

Be careful, though. If you notice a bird built a nest in the summer, it could mean it’s planning to reuse it for the next brooding season. In that case, it’s best to leave the nest unless your intention is to actually deter birds from building nests in that area.
 

2. Protect Yourself

This step goes back to the previous one in part because if you try to move a nest while birds are still inside, you’re seriously risking being attacked - some birds have sharp beaks, and they’re not afraid to use them. However, protecting yourself also means wearing suitable gear to protect your health. 

We are dealing with all sorts of parasites and bacteria, after all, even when the birds aren’t around. So, when you go out to move a nest, always wear:

• A mask
• Gloves
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Protective glasses (recommended)

Nests are full of mites, parasites, and potentially infectious diseases. Some of these diseases are harmful even to human beings, such as histoplasmosis - a disease caused when we breathe in small fungi spores that can be found in bird droppings. That’s why it’s crucial you wear a mask. 

3. Plan In Advance

The last thing you should do when you notice a nest is to go and remove it immediately. As we know by now, that could potentially be illegal, and you’d be fined for it. Additionally, though, there are many things you need to consider before moving a nest. how to move a birds nest

For instance, the first two steps I mentioned are a great example of planning in advance. However, apart from finding the right gear and timing, you should also think about the following:

• Can I reach the nest?
• Will I need additional tools?
• Does the nest belong to some predator bird?
• Where will I put the nest after removing it?
• Do I need to contact the Service?
• Do I want the birds to return here? 

All these points need to be thought through, and everything should be planned accordingly. This is to protect your safety but also to keep the nest in one piece if you decide to relocate it instead of destroying it.

4. Decide What You Want to Do With the Nest

There are generally two choices when deciding what to do with the nest after moving it. Some people want it removed completely because they don’t want any birds to return to that area where the nest is. In that case, if the birds abandon the nest after the brooding season, you can dispose of it in the trash or somewhere far away, so the birds can’t find it.

On the other hand, some people would like only to relocate the nest to another place, hoping the birds would return to it again. If you’re one of those, you should know that relocating a nest far away won’t do much good. 

Birds can’t smell their nests, and they won’t be able to find them. If you want to keep the birds, relocate the nest somewhere close where the birds will be able to see it if they decide to return. In any case, follow the next step if you want to keep the nest intact.

5. Remove the Nest Gently

If you decide to keep the nest and have it close by in case the birds decide to return to it again, you’ll need to make sure to keep it as is. Once you reach the nest, which in some cases can be quite tricky, it’s absolutely crucial that you remove it gently. Think of the nest as a ticking time bomb - no sudden moves! 

The best way to keep the nest intact is to slowly detach it from wherever it’s placed. Then, keep the nest in both hands (if you can), but don’t squeeze it. The nest should only “rest” in your cupped hands, meaning you shouldn’t hold it but carry it. Doing this will keep the nest's shape and structure intact. 

Birds can’t really smell if a human is playing with their home, but they can notice if some changes were made to the nest, which might cause them to get quite spooked and abandon the nest altogether.

How To Move a Bird’s Nest With Eggs

To move a bird’s nest with eggs inside, you should ensure there aren’t parent birds nearby. You should always move a nest carefully, especially if there are eggs, but don’t remove the eggs from the nest. In some countries, it’s illegal to move nests with eggs, and the US is one of them. 

When moving a bird’s nest with eggs inside, make sure to:

• Contact a rescue organization or governmental body
• Get a permit
• Wear protective gear
• Remove the nest slowly with eggs inside it (birds will know if eggs were moved)
• Find a nearby place to relocate the nest
• Secure the nest (so it doesn’t fall)
  
  

How To Move a Bird’s Nest With Babies

The best way to move a bird’s nest with babies is to wait until adult birds aren’t present since they would become quite defensive. The best option is to wait for the chicks to leave the nest on their own. This will happen in a matter of weeks. 

Just like with eggs in a nest, moving a nest with baby birds will only be legally possible if the lives of those birds are endangered. When moving a bird’s nest with babies inside, make sure to:

• Let the authorities know
• Get the permit
• Wear protective gear
• Remove the nest slowly with chicks inside
• Relocate the nest somewhere close
  
  

How To Move A Birds Nest...Final Thoughts

If you’re living in the US, or some other country that has made it illegal to move the nests of protected birds, then make sure you let the authorities know before you move a nest. If you’re dealing with a migratory bird, you’ll need a permit to move it. 

When moving nests, you should always remember to:

• Wear gloves and a mask.
• Wait for the nest to be abandoned.
• Move the nest before brooding season.
  
  

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Hi! I'm Richard Worden, the author and founder of We Know Birds.

Over 20 years ago I developed a keen interest in birds and birdwatching, and it has been my passion ever since. I am committed to spreading useful knowledge about birds to others so we might all enjoy them to the fullest.

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