Question about moving wild bird's nest?

So, the scenario is that I ended up leaving my horse saddles in my trailer for 3 weeks due to being injured. I did not notice this until I went to move a horse. After an hour long trail ride and waiting around for an hour for direction, I loaded the horse and noticed a nest with five pink and brown speckled eggs.

So, I had touched the nest a bit, rolled and egg a bit, and thought they were goners because it had been about 5 hours since someone had sat on them.

A week or so ago, there were four eggs and a baby bird. Now there are 5 baby birds in a nest on my saddle. I need that saddle but I don't want to be the cause of the demise of the little birds.

So, my question - can I move the nest or will the parents lose it? I can move it to above a box in my trailer that is about 18" from where they are now. I would prefer to move them out of my trailer. There are two trees right by the trailer - one that the birds seem to frequent right next to the trailer, near where the nest is and another behind the trailer.

Will moving the nest mean the bird parents will not be able to find it? How far can I move it? I will use gloves and be REALLY careful and make sure the nest is secure, but I want to know the likelihood that the babies will survive this.

2008-08-17T19:06:47Z

Thanks for the answers. Yeah, I thought maybe the touching the nest was a myth since I touched the egg itself and obviously the parents came back. They all seem to have feathers even though they are only a week old.

They were so cute - all of them sleeping when I checked in on them! I guess the parents can find them, since I took the trailer away for 5 hours and the parents obviously did not give up.

How long does it usually take for birds to leave the nest?

I have a show this coming Sunday and would prefer not to have the little guys away from the parents for the 6 hours or so I will be gone at the show.

If I move the nest, how do I figure out if the babies are being fed? I don't think I can sit there long enough to watch the parents come back, Birds flit around a good bit whenever I pull up.

Any other signs to look for by looking at the nest that can tell me if the parents found it alright?

2008-08-17T19:07:27Z

Oh, and birdgirl, thanks - I am looking for the species now so maybe that will give me a better idea.

2008-08-17T19:09:35Z

Beth - thanks for the ideas, but I have a German Shepherd that while she is gentle as can be, gets into everything interesting and will likely either give the babies heart attacks or accidentally swallow them when she tries to play with them.

Anonymous2008-08-17T15:37:02Z

Favorite Answer

If at all possible, it would be best to leave the nest where it is...and wait for the chicks to leave it. If they have already been there for at least a week..it means they should be leaving the nest in another week if not sooner, depending on species. If you absolutely MUST move the nest..it is best to move it as little as possible..it needs to be moved as close as possible to the original location. If the parents can still hear the begging calls of the chicks, they should still be able to find them..however if you move it too far..they may not be able to hear them. Keep in mind, it is actually illegal for you to be interfering with the nest at all as all native wild birds are protected by law.

11

Beth P2008-08-18T01:01:44Z

Try to wait it out a little longer. If not move the nest as little and as close as possible to where it is now. Do not worry about your smell on the eggs, nest , or baby birds parents will still feed them. If you end up moving it and the babies die you will feel awful. I would leave it. Sometimes the parents will abondend the nest if they feel threatned in any way or think they are leading predators to the babes. So if have to move as close to site as possible and stay away from nest after that. Watch hidden and see if they are caring for young. If they aboden all together than you must take young to wildlife rehabber or vet that takes wildlife as it is illeagal for you to even move nest honesty as birds are protected. Good luck and thanks for caring. .

00

ILoveKlausMichaelson<32008-08-18T00:57:38Z

You could move it, make sure that you keep it int he trailer though. Also keep an eye on them, to make sure that mom is coming and feeding them.

If the mom ends up not coming back, you need to:

Get them in a safe and quiet room.

Does it have feathers? ANy at all, does it stand? If its featherless and pink its a newborn, if it has feathers its a fledgling.

If its unable to sit on finger or stand well you need to keep them warm with a heatingpad(low not too hot) and get an old towel and shap it like a nest shape than ge a washcloth and spread it over the baby birds. This is only if they have no fathers.

You need to go to the petstore and get some formula. Formula for all birds. Get one cup and fill it with 1 cup of formula and one cup of warm water( The little cup that came with formula). Mix it well and use a syringe to feed it. Dont do too much at a time or it may regergitate. DONT give it water. It will choke. There is the right amount of water in the formula needed. Dont feed it worms. They have bacteria that could hurt them, only mom can break it down.

When they are fledgling which it has feathers and can hop around then they can eat watermelon pieces, mealworms(HEADS cut off or they will eat its insides), bananas pieces, veggies pieces, and seeds(wild bird seed). Unless it cant hopp or sit on your finger or have any feathers you can feed him formula and he other foods listed. If he is pecking at stuff when you hold it then he doesnt need syringe. Only a bird cup.

If its able to sit on your finger and hop on the ground It needs a cage, perches, and feed/ water cups. The cage can be for a cockatiel, thats a fine sixe for it. Cut up all the foods listed and place them in the food dich and sprinkle seeds on the bottom of the cage and mealworms(With heads cut off) on the bottom, it teaches them how to foriege. You can even add a mirror. It keeps them intertained. Make sure that you keep the cage cleam with newspaper on the botom. The bird will be more happier. Place the cage near a window to calm him down as well.

When he can fly you can release him outside. As long as he can fly. He may come to you for food though. You could even keep him if you would like but get a bigger cage for thim.


Goodluck
Bethani

Anything else u need let me know
bethbethani@yahoo.com

01

Anonymous2008-08-17T22:30:40Z

The parents will find the nest without a problem. Several feet won't matter.
You need not wear gloves. The "smell of a human thing" is a myth.

20

Related Questions

I need to move a wild birds nest!?need to move a birds nest?Can a bird nest be moved?I had to move a bird nest with 4 eggs, will the mom come back?I need help with a wild bird that fell out of its nest!?

Trending Questions

What does I mean when some on doesn't have a drivers liscense...just an idenfication card.?4 answersLovebirds?4 answersMy femal budgie has been balding on her neck and head  for the last 5 days idk why can anyone help? I don't have vet for birds in my country?5 answersHow do I get rid of an annoying rooster without getting in trouble?4 answersWhat do Parakeets Eat in the Wild?7 answers