Bird Eggs and Nests - Le Nichoir

I found a wild bird egg on the ground. What should I do with it?

Wild bird eggs found on the ground are seldom viable. They often fell some distance, and may have been on the ground for some time. If the egg seems intact and is from a known, active nest, it can be placed back in the nest. Be prepared it might get pushed out again as parent birds can often tell if an egg isn’t viable.

How do you make an artificial cup nest?

Different birds have different nesting needs. Here is a safe and simple method that mimics a natural nest: find a small plastic container or basket (like a margarine container or small flowerpot) small enough for the nestlings to fit snugly. Poke drainage holes in the bottom to prevent water accumulation. Line the artificial nest with straw, leaves, twigs and other non-absorbent materials. If the nestlings were found on the ground, try to place the artificial nest within a few feet of the original location, secured in a bush or tree using string or wire. Make sure it’s out of direct sunlight, protected from rain, and away from predators. Gently place the nestlings in the nest and watch from a distance (preferably from indoors where parents can’t see you) for 2-4 hours to see if they return.

It is important that artificial nests are made only when the original nest is empty and does not have other siblings. It is not guaranteed that parents can manage to care and feed two nests at one time. If there are siblings in the original nest, please call Le Nichoir 450-458-2809 or email info@lenichoir.org for more instructions.

How do you make an artificial hole/cavity nest?

A “jug” nest can be used for a cavity nest that has been removed or destroyed. Artificial cavity nests work best for starlings, house sparrows, chickadees, wrens, and other birds that nest in holes. The size of the container to use will depend on the species and the number of babies. In general, a 4-litre or “gallon” jug can be used for most starling and house sparrow nests: a vinegar jug, a bleach jug, a large orange juice or milk jug, etc. For smaller birds like chickadees or wrens, a 2-litre pop bottle can be used. Make sure to rinse the bottles very well.

Punch a lot of holes into the bottom for drainage. Line the artificial nest with straw, leaves, and other non-absorbent materials. Draw a “U” shape on the wide side of the jug, each side about 2-inches long. Cut the “U”, leaving the top part attached. Bend the “U” up and out – this leaves a 2-inch-square opening with a little roof or awning sticking out, protecting the babies from rain and sun. Place the nest within a few feet of the original location. If the nest was removed from a vent or other hole in the house, it should be placed directly above or below the original entry point. Find a way to secure the nest before you put the babies inside. Use rope, wire, or zip ties to attach through the jug handle. Don’t use duct tape or sticky tape.

Once the nest is secure in its new spot, place the babies back inside. Watch from a distance, preferably from indoors where parents can’t see you. If the parents are coming back and feeding the babies, leave them be. Most species of songbirds fledge at about 2 weeks of age, so it won’t be long before they leave the nest and move on. If after 2-4 hours there is no sign of the parents, call Le Nichoir at 450-458-2809 or send an email to info@lenichoir.org.

Sibling wild birds keep pushing one out of the nest? Should I put it back again?

In some cases, siblings may push other siblings out of the nest. This can be due to one of the bird’s being injured, competition in the nest, or a nest of young trying to remove a parasitic sibling meaning a bird that was laid in the nest of different species by its parents.

It is important to identify the species of bird before placing the bird back. Please send an email to Le Nichoir with an image or video of the bird and nest, including your name and phone number so that our team can identify what species of bird it is. Once the bird is identified, if after two attempts the bird continues to be pushed out of the nest it should be brought to Le Nichoir.

I placed a baby wild bird back in its nest and the parents keep pushing it out

Wild bird parents are able to identify if one of their young is injured or sick and may throw them from a nest. Some species of “parasitic” birds lay their nest in other bird’s nests (e.g. cowbirds) and if the “new” parents suspect the baby is not theirs they may toss it from the nest as well.

In some cases, adult birds will remove other species of birds from their nests to predate on them. They feed these baby birds to their young. This is seen with Blue jays, Common ravens, American crows and other opportunistic or carnivorous birds. Because of this, it is important to identify the bird first before returning it to the nest.

Even if replacing the baby bird back in the nest is successful it is critical to observe the nest from a distance for 3-4 hours to ensure that the parents are caring for the baby. If not, the bird will need to be brought to Le Nichoir

I Found a Nest that Fell on the Ground? What should I do?

If an entire nest has blown down or fallen, getting it back close to its original position or making a false one may be an option. If there is any blood, or any obvious injuries on any of the babies, or if they have been in contact with a dog or cat, they should be taken to Le Nichoir. Do not try to do a physical examination.

Remember that birds don’t always nest in trees. If the nest was intentionally or accidentally removed, it should be placed back as close as possible to where it was originally located. If the nest was found on the ground, it will not have travelled far when it fell.

Reuniting featherless hatchling babies is a little trickier than reuniting older, feathered ones, because they are quieter and less likely to call their parents, and because they get cold easily without their mother brooding them.

While you attempt to reconstruct the nest or make an artificial nest, babies should be kept in a cardboard box with a heat source to keep them warm until they can be put back. Knowing how and where to replace the nest can make all the difference in the parents coming back to feed the babies. Please send an email with an image and your name and phone number to info@lenichoir.org for more information.

I found featherless wild baby birds on the ground without a nest. What should I do?

If you find featherless baby birds on the ground without a nest, making an artificial one can be an option if you know where the original nest was. Remember that birds don’t always nest in trees. If you can’t find the original nest location the baby birds will need to be brought to Le Nichoir for care.Please keep in mind that it is always preferable for the babies to be raised by their parents than in a rehabilitation centre, so take the time to look carefully to find the nest.

If there is any blood, or any obvious injuries on any of the babies, or they have been in contact with a dog or cat, they should be taken to Le Nichoir. Do not try to do a physical examination.

Reuniting featherless hatchling babies is a little trickier than reuniting older, feathered babies, because they are quieter and less likely to call their parents, and because they get cold easily without their mother brooding them. While you attempt to make an artificial nest, babies should be kept in a cardboard box with a heat source to keep them warm until they can be put back. Knowing how and where to replace the artificial nest can make all the difference in the parents coming back to feed the babies. Please send an email with an image and your name and phone number to info@lenichoir.org for more information.

A nest of wild baby birds was taken away from its parents. What can I do?

If a nest of birds has been intentionally taken away from its parents, the most important thing is to bring the nest of babies back to where it was found to try to reunite them with their parents. First, create an artificial nest if the original is damaged. Place the nestlings back in the nest and wait to see if the parents return. If the parents don’t return after 2 hours, it’s crucial to contact Le Nichoir 450-458-2809 for instructions.

Remember: do not feed the birds or give them water. Avoid handling them. It’s illegal to keep wild birds in captivity, so it’s essential to return them to their parents in the wild or bring them to Le Nichoir.

I found an egg but I don’t see a nest. What should I do ?

If the nest can’t be reached or located, the egg should be left where it is. You can tuck the egg away under a bush or in some tall grass. Another wild animal will make a meal of it or use it to feed her babies. If the egg begins to hatch, or shows any signs of movement, it should be kept warm and dark and brought to Le Nichoir right away.

I found an egg. Should I incubate it?

Eggs incubated in captivity have a very poor chance of hatching. The temperature and humidity must be perfect or the embryo will not develop correctly. It means that the egg can hatch with deformities or metabolic issues. Le Nichoir strongly discourages people from incubating eggs. Even if the egg successfully hatches, new hatchlings have a very high mortality because it is very difficult to mimic the diet and care its parents would provide for it. We also know that for some species bacterial transfer from its parents, which builds the nestling’s immune system, is critical for their health.

If you find a wild egg it is best to leave it where you found it, or place it under a tree or somewhere that a natural predator can eat it.

How long do wild birds stay in their nest?

In an urban or suburban landscape, wild birds have to be creative about where they make their nests. This means that they sometimes make nests in places that are inconvenient or annoying to people. Nests are for the purposes of raising babies. Once the babies have grown up and fledged the nest it is seldom reused.

This is important to remember, because the nesting period is so short and young will leave the nest generally in 2-4 weeks.

I am doing construction on my home ( deck, gazebo, porch) and a wild bird has made a nest that is blocking the area we need to do work in. Can I move the nest?

Most wild birds, their nests, feathers and eggs are protected by different Federal and Provincial laws. Many species fall under protection of the Migratory Birds Convention Act. This means that it is illegal to remove a migratory bird nest without a permit and fines can be given to individuals not respecting these laws.

For more information related to this contact Le Nichoir at 450-458-2809.

A wild bird made a nest on my boat, car, truck, trailer

Le Nichoir encourages the public to not interfere when there are babies or eggs in the nest as many are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty. If this is impossible and a bird has made a nest in a location that is moveable (e.g. boat, car, truck) a nest of babies may have to be removed and it needs to be installed within a few feet of where the original nest was located.

How should I proceed if I have to relocate a nest?

A ladder can work really well. Fasten the nest to one of the steps. If the nest is in full sun or not protected from bad weather, place a small piece of plywood on the top step to make an overhang to protect the birds from rain and heat. You must observe the birds, from a distance, for 2-4 hours to ensure that parents return. If they do not, please call Le Nichoir 450-458-2809 for more instructions.

Please remember that moving a nest should be done as a last resort since parents will abandon a relocated nest with eggs only. Artificial nests rely heavily on the parents hearing their babies calling for food. Without this auditory signal, it is unlikely that the parents will find an artificial nest containing only eggs.

I found a wild bird nest in my kitchen vent, fan or roof. Can I remove it?

By far the most common “nuisance” nests we hear about are those made by European starlings and House sparrows. Naturally, these species nest in holes and crevices. Near human habitation, this means that they often choose dryer vents, stove vents, bathroom vents, and cracks and crevices along the walls and roofs of houses.

The whole process from nest-building to babies fledgling can take less than a month. It takes 1-3 days to build a nest, 10-14 days to incubate and 18-23 days (starlings) and 10-14 days (sparrows) to fledge.

Most people don’t even notice a starling or sparrow nest until the babies start making noise when they’re hungry. At this point, babies are usually at least a week old and people should wait until the babies leave before blocking off the access to the house.

Le Nichoir encourages the public to not interfere when there are babies or eggs in the nest because most of these nests and babies are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty. Also, letting the birds fledge eliminates the possibility of the parents abandoning the young in your house.

I must remove a nest built in my house. How should I proceed?

If it is absolutely impossible for you to wait until the baby birds leave the nest , an artificial one must be placed immediately above or below the original entry point. Parents will abandon a relocated nest with eggs only. Artificial nests rely heavily on the parents hearing their babies calling for food. Without this auditory signal, it is unlikely that the parents will find an artificial nest containing only eggs.

I found a cup nest with eggs or babies on my property. Can I remove it?

Remember that most eggs and nests are federally protected and cannot be destroyed or moved. It is illegal to remove a nest, especially with eggs or babies. Moving a nest can end up with the nest being abandoned. For most species of wild birds, the nest building, incubation and fledgling stage last under 4 weeks. It is a very temporary situation so please give them the little time they need.

A nest was built on my patio. Can I still use it?

Sometimes, wild birds build their nests on the sides of houses, under porches, on door-wreaths, etc. Wild bird parents chose this site, built the nest, and incubated the eggs knowing that humans are in close proximity. As long as you are conscientious of the wild birds and don’t actively bother them, most of these species will continue to care for their babies even with humans around. Sometimes wild birds even choose nest sites near people because they know there will be fewer natural predators around. Le Nichoir encourages people to not interfere, and allow the baby wild birds the natural process of being cared for by their parents. This increases their chance of survival and is more natural.

How can I know if a nest is abandoned?

Most wild bird eggs are laid one per day until the clutch is complete and incubation does not begin until all eggs are laid. Remember that nests that look “abandoned” to you may still be used even if you don’t see eggs. Even truly abandoned eggs should be left alone to return to nature.

Because the female wild bird does not begin incubating until all of the eggs are laid, nests are often left unattended during the laying period. The caller may monitor the nest over the course of one week. If no new eggs appear and there is still no sign of the mother, the nest can be considered abandoned.