Whether or not to remove a sparrow nest on your property is a common dilemma for many homeowners. On one hand, sparrows can cause some nuisance issues with their loud chirping, droppings, and nest building activities. However, they are also protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act which makes it illegal to remove or destroy active nests. Here are some quick answers to common questions to help you decide if and when nest removal may be appropriate:
Is it illegal to remove a sparrow nest?
Yes, it is illegal to remove or destroy an active nest belonging to a native migratory bird species like sparrows. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, it is prohibited to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill or sell migratory birds, their eggs, feathers or nests. Violators can face fines up to $15,000 and imprisonment of up to six months.
When can I remove a sparrow nest?
You can only remove sparrow nests during the non-breeding season, which is typically between November and late February. Nests with eggs or juvenile birds cannot be disturbed. It is best to consult with a professional to determine if the nest is inactive before attempting removal.
How do I remove a sparrow nest?
To remove an inactive sparrow nest during the permitted timeframe:
- Wear thick gloves and safety goggles for protection
- Use a stiff brush or broom to sweep away the nest
- Dispose of the nest debris in a sealed plastic bag
- Clean the area with a disinfectant to remove mites or bird parasites
Removing the nest by hand or knocking it down with a water hose could disturb concealed eggs or nestlings and is not recommended.
How can I prevent sparrows from rebuilding nests?
To deter sparrows from rebuilding nests after removal, you can:
- Install plastic mesh netting or metal spikes over preferred nesting spots
- Use deterrents like fake owls, reflective tape or predator decoys
- Trim back branches and vegetation around eaves, ledges or signs
- Seal crevices wider than 1/4-inch so they cannot nest inside
Should I be concerned about diseases from sparrow nests?
Sparrows are not major carriers of diseases that can transmit to humans. However, old nests may contain mites, fleas and bird lice that can bite humans. Wear protective clothing when removing nests and clean the area thoroughly after removal.
Can I use poison or traps to get rid of sparrows?
No, it is illegal to use poisons or lethal traps against native bird species like sparrows without permits. The only legal traps for sparrows are live traps that capture birds unharmed to be transported and released. Lethal control methods should only be used as a last resort with professional guidance.
What can I do to peacefully coexist with sparrows?
Some tips for peacefully coexisting with sparrows include:
- Installing alternate nest boxes or platforms away from buildings
- Using deterrents and nest access management during breeding season
- Planting shrubs and trees away from buildings to provide habitat
- Tolerating some level of noise and activity as part of sharing space
Conclusion
Responsibly discouraging sparrow nesting near your home is legal during non-breeding months. Excluding sparrows from problem areas using deterrents and access control is preferable to destruction of active nests. With some tolerance and clever landscaping to provide habitat away from key areas, you can humanely and legally minimize conflicts.
Bird Nest Identification and Facts
Identifying the type of bird nest on your property provides clues about the nest occupants, their breeding biology, and how to properly manage the nest. Here are some tips to identify common backyard nests and key facts about these remarkable structures.
Sparrow Nest
- Appearance: Bulky dome or sphere of grass, feathers, litter and twigs with side entrance hole
- Builders: Song sparrows, house sparrows, other small passerines
- Nesting Facts: Often built in concealed spots on ledges or signs. 2-7 eggs per clutch with multiple broods.
Robin Nest
- Appearance: Sturdy cup of grass, twigs and mud built on tree branches or ledges
- Builders: Robins, catbirds, thrashers
- Nesting Facts: 2-3 broods of 3-5 eggs from April-July. Fledglings leave nest at 13-16 days.
Mourning Dove Nest
- Appearance: Fragile platform of twigs often with grass lining
- Builders: Mourning doves
- Nesting Facts: Typically 2 eggs per clutch, up to 6 broods per season from March-October.
Hummingbird Nest
- Appearance: Tiny 1-2 inch cup of soft plant down, spider webs and lichens
- Builders: Ruby-throated, Rufous and Allen’s Hummingbirds
- Nesting Facts: 2 white eggs laid in nest glued with spider silk to branches.
Barn Swallow Nest
- Appearance: Mud cups lined with grass and feathers attached to vertical surfaces
- Builders: Barn swallows
- Nesting Facts: Clutch size averages 4-5 eggs, 2-3 broods per summer.
Killdeer Nest
- Appearance: Simple scrape on the ground lined with pebbles, twigs and leaves
- Builders: Killdeer plovers
- Nesting Facts: Lays up to 6 eggs in exposed sites including gravel roads and rooftops.
Importance of Bird Nests
Bird nests are architectural wonders that provide vital ecological roles:
- Protect eggs, young birds and brooding adults from weather and predators
- Incubate eggs and enable bonding between parents and altricial chicks
- Reflect intricate co-evolution between birds, nesting materials and nest predators
- Allow diverse species to breed and fill vital niches in ecosystems
When discovered on your property, nests deserve special respect and care to preserve wild bird populations.
Backyard Bird Nesting Guide
Having bird nests on your property provides enjoyable wildlife viewing opportunities. Follow these tips to support nesting birds safely and responsibly.
Spring Nest Checking
In spring, be alert for signs of nesting activity:
- Look and listen for display flights, singing, and pair bonding
- Watch for birds carrying nest materials like twigs and grass
- Observe birds visiting prospective nest cavities
Nest Site Management
You can encourage nesting by providing artificial nest platforms and boxes. Control access to hazardous areas like vents, machinery and high ledges. Install netting or hardware cloth over spaces vulnerable to becoming entrapment hazards.
Respect No-Disturbance Buffers
Leave substantial undisturbed space around active nests. As a general rule, stay at least 30 feet away from songbird nests and 300 feet from raptor nests.
Never Disturb Active Nests
It is illegal to touch or disturb active nests in any way. Let nature take its course and avoid accidentally exposing eggs or young.
Enjoy the Viewing Experience
Quietly observe courtship, feeding behaviors, and other activities from a distance using binoculars. Appreciate this opportunity to learn about birds and nature.
Avoiding Predators
Monitor for potential nest predators like raptors, snakes, rodents and cats. Deter them humanely when possible to protect vulnerable chicks and eggs.
Removal of Old Nests
Wait until nests are clearly inactive after the breeding season, then clean them out to prepare nesting sites for next year.
Provide Emergency Care if Needed
If you find injured juveniles or abandoned eggs, contact a wildlife rehabilitator for humane assistance. Handling should only be done by trained experts.
native bird nests
| Species | Nest Type | Materials | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | Platform | Twigs, grass | Trees, shrubs |
| Killdeer | Scrape | Rocks, twigs | Ground |
| Barn Swallow | Mud cup | Mud, grass | Vertical surfaces |
| American Robin | Cup | Grass, mud | Tree branches |
| Chickadee | Cavity | Moss, fur | Tree holes |
Backyard Nestwatching Guidance
Enjoying bird nesting activities in your yard comes with important ethical responsibilities:
- Never handle or disturb active nests
- Be alert for signs of stress like agitated behavior
- Use optics like binoculars instead of close approaches
- Limit viewing to short sessions
- Conduct activites quietly and minimize noise
Following these conscientious birdwatching practices prevents disruption and helps ensure a positive experience for both birds and people.
Sparrow Nest Removal Guide
Sparrows commonly build nests on or near homes, which can lead to some conflict with homeowners. Here is some guidance on addressing sparrow nesting issues legally and humanely.
Timing of Sparrow Nesting
- Nest Building: March – May
- Egg Laying: April – August
- Fledging: May – September
Nests with eggs or young are protected. Removal should only occur outside active breeding times.
Signs of Active Nests
Before taking any action, confirm the nest is inactive by watching for:
- Adult birds sitting on the nest
- Feeding activity at the nest
- Vocalizations from within nest
- Juveniles perched on or near nest
Assume the nest is active if you observe any of these signs of breeding behavior.
Preferred Nest Removal Methods
To humanely remove empty, inactive sparrow nests:
- Wear protective gloves, eyewear and clothing
- Wait until complete darkness when birds roost overnight
- Seal entrance holes with tape to prevent re-occupation overnight
- Carefully remove nest intact if possible using an extendable tool
- Double bag the nest debris for disposal
- Clean the area thoroughly with soap/disinfectant
Always monitor after removal to ensure no birds were trapped inside.
Exclusion and Deterrents
After removal, take proactive steps to discourage rebuilding at the site by:
- Installing barrier mesh, netting or metal prongs
- Applying safe repellent gels
- Removing perches and cover near potential nest sites
- Using visual deterrents like decoys, flash tape and mirrors
A combination of approaches used diligently prevents re-nesting.
Provide Alternate Nest Sites
Placing several nest boxes on your property away from structures gives sparrows acceptable nesting locations.
When to Get Help
Consult a wildlife professional if:
- There are signs of eggs or young in the nest
- Nests are in dangerous locations like vents or machinery
- Exclusion attempts are unsuccessful
- You encounter injured juveniles
Getting expert guidance ensures problems are resolved humanely and legally.
Backyard Bird Nest Box Plans
Installing bird nesting boxes in your yard is a great way to provide safe nest sites and observe bird breeding behaviors. Here are some helpful tips for building and placing nest boxes suitable for common backyard birds:
Overall Nest Box Tips
- Use untreated natural wood at least 1 inch thick to provide insulation
- Include drainage and ventilation holes but avoid large openings
- Add a pivoting side, roof or front panel to allow monitoring and cleaning
- Use a rough wood interior so birds can grip while entering the box
- Mount boxes securely on poles, buildings or tree trunks
Species-Specific Box Guidelines
| Species | Ideal Box Depth | Entrance Hole Diameter | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Bluebird | 5-6 inches | 1.5 inches | 4-5 feet high facing open areas |
| Tree Swallow | 4-7 inches | 1-1.5 inches | Above 6 feet near open water |
| Black-capped Chickadee | 8-10 inches | 1.25 inches | 6-15 feet high near woods |
| Tufted Titmouse | 8-10 inches | 1.25 inches | 8-10 feet high near woods |
| Carolina Wren | 7-8 inches | 1.5-2 inches | 6-10 feet high near thickets |
Tailor entrance size and box dimensions to the species you want to attract. Place boxes in suitable habitat with protection from predators and weather. Use safe, biodegradable materials to avoid harming birds. With yearly cleaning and maintenance, nest boxes provide years of enjoyment observing nature in your own backyard.
Tips for Monitoring Nest Boxes
When observing backyard nest boxes, follow these responsible birdwatching practices:
- Use a mounted mirror or camera to check occupied boxes
- Limit checks to 1-2 times per week during nesting season
- Avoid excess noise, movements or vibrations
- Never disturb or handle eggs or young birds
- Wait until nests are empty before removing old nesting material
With careful, unintrusive monitoring you can gain fascinating insights into bird breeding biology and the animals raising their families in your nest boxes.
Attracting Birds to Nest in Your Yard
Encouraging bird nesting on your property provides enjoyable wildlife viewing and helps support native bird populations. Here are some tips to make your yard attractive and safe for nesting birds.
Provide Nesting Materials
Set out pet-safe fibers, yarn, moss, fur, grass clippings, and other soft nest materials birds can incorporate into their nests. Avoid synthetics, tinsel, and dryer lint which can tangle up birds.
Offer Nesting Sites
Install nest boxes and platforms designed for target bird species. Also leave dead snags and loose brush piles birds may nest in. Place nest aids away from heavy predator traffic.
Plant Native Vegetation
Landscape with berry bushes, flowering plants, and tree species that attract birds. Dense, thicket-forming shrubs offer nest protection and materials.
Provide Water Sources
Birdbaths, drippers, and fountains quench bird’s thirst while also attracting insects they feed on. Moving water deters mosquitoes from breeding.
Reduce Predators
Use deterrents and repellents to discourage nest predators like house cats, snakes, and jays. Trim ground cover near nests to remove hiding spots.
Limit Pesticide Use
Avoid pesticides that reduce insect prey and may contaminate nest sites. Use least toxic organic methods of controlling yard pests.
Decrease Noise and Disruption
Nest in quieter yards away from loud equipment, vehicles, foot traffic areas, and disturbance. Be mindful of nests and modify activities if needed.
Provide Supplemental Food
Stock feeders with nutritious seeds, suet, dried fruit, and nectar to help meet the dietary needs of breeding birds and their offspring.
By making your property an attractive, welcoming habitat for birds to raise their young, you can enjoy seeing the next generation flourish right in your own yard.
Ethical Bird Nest Monitoring
Observing bird nesting behaviors can provide useful data but requires conscientious practices to avoid disturbing the birds. Follow these guidelines for ethical nest monitoring:
- Obtain permits if required for scientific or management purposes
- Use optics like binoculars and spotting scopes from a distance
- Limit observation sessions to short durations
- Visit nests infrequently and at varying times
- Move slowly, speak softly and minimize your profile
- Watch adult behavior for signs of distress such as agitation or leaving the nest
- Never touch, move or manipulate eggs, young, or nest structures
- Photograph nest occupants only when necessary using techniques that minimize disturbance
- Keep nest locations confidential to avoid introducing human disturbance
Disturbance during critical breeding stages can result in nest abandonment, so an ethical, hands-off approach ensures meaningful data collection while supporting conservation.
Signs of Disturbance to Avoid
Stop nest monitoring immediately if birds show these signs of stress:
- Alarm calls
- Dive bombing intruders
- Reluctance to enter or leave nest
- Standing up or suddenly leaving nest when approached
- Increased time away from nest
- Displacement activity like preening
- Decreased feeding trips
Adapting techniques or avoiding a nest site completely will minimize harm and produce more meaningful long-term data.
