From gutters to mailboxes, birds can choose inconvenient, silly – and sometimes dangerous – places to nest. If you come across such a predicament, what can you do?
First, it’s important to recognize that birds often will abandon their nests and eggs if they have been moved. It’s also good to know that outside of a few exceptions, most species (and their eggs and nests) are federally protected. While it can be inconvenient, the best and recommended course of action in the majority of cases is to leave the nest be until the eggs hatch and the young leave the nest.
To help determine next steps if you do stumble across a bird nest in a bad spot, explore our quick guide to bird nest conflicts across the Great Lakes for the different rules and regulations protecting these nests.
This guide is brought to you by MI Birds, a public outreach and education program by Audubon Great Lakes and the Michigan DNR. MI Birds aims to bridge the divide and deepen all Michiganders’ engagement in the understanding, care and stewardship of public lands that are important for birds and local communities.
