If you’re like me, you love spending time outdoors surrounded by nature. One of the highlights of my summer is when I go for a walk and hear the birds as they go about their business, including taking care of the young ones in the nest.
But what do birds do when their nest is destroyed? This can be quite a traumatic experience for the nesting birds and their chicks. In this blog post, we will explore what happens to different species of birds when a bird’s nest is damaged or destroyed.
Different adult bird species have different ways of dealing with a destroyed nest. Some backyard birds will simply abandon the area and start anew elsewhere. Others will try to rebuild their nests with whatever materials they can find. And still, others will stay put and continue to care for their chicks even though their nest has been destroyed.
We will also discuss what humans should do if they find an empty bird’s nest. Stay tuned for more information!
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Why Are Bird’s Nests Destroyed?
There are a number of reasons why birds’ nests might be destroyed. Natural causes such as wind, rain, and lightning can damage or destroy a nest.
Predators such as raccoons, opossums, and foxes may also raid a nest in search of eggs or chicks. Human activities such as construction, vandalism, and even pollution can also have an impact on bird nests.
No matter the cause, a destroyed nest can be a traumatic experience for the parents and their chicks. When a nest is destroyed, the birds must quickly decide what to do next. Should they stay in the area and try to rebuild? Should they abandon the nest site and start anew elsewhere?
Each species of bird will make a decision based on a variety of factors, including the availability of food and shelter in the area, the age of the chicks, and how much time has been invested in building the nest.
What Do Birds Do When Their Nest is Destroyed?
Bald Eagles
If their nest is destroyed, bald eagles will often try to rebuild their nest with whatever materials they can find. They will also stay close to the area to protect their chicks from predators.
If the nest is completely destroyed and the chicks are young, the parents may decide to build a new nest nearby.
If the nest remains intact a bald eagle will continue to use the same nest for years, adding to it each breeding season to keep it strong and intact.
House Wrens
If a house wren’s nest is destroyed, the parents will often try to rebuild it. They will also stay close to the area to protect their chicks from predators. If the nest is completely destroyed and the chicks are young, the parents may decide to build a new nest nearby.
Interestingly, house wrens are more attracted to birdhouses than some other species of bird, and prefer them, which is good for the wrens and their offspring!
American Goldfinches
If their nest is destroyed, American goldfinches will often try to rebuild their nest with whatever materials they can find. They will also stay close to the area to protect their chicks from predators.
The male goldfinch will break down an old nest deliberately, so they can create a new ‘green’ nest and hopefully attract a female to it.
Doves
Doves will typically build their nests in a safe place, such as in a tree, on the ground, or on man-made structures. The male dove scouts out the location and the female gives final approval (gosh, that sounds familiar!)
Unfortunately, doves are not skilled nest-builders, it is not uncommon to see them destroy their own nest and start over again.
They may make poor decisions as to the location also, which compounds the problem. So if you see doves trashing their own nest, they’re most likely going to start over again with new nesting materials until they build one that is sturdy enough for their offspring.
Robins
Robins are another species of bird that will remain in the area and continue to care for their chicks even if their bird nest has been destroyed. They will often build a new nesting site nearby with whatever materials they can find.
If the nest is completely destroyed and the chicks are young, the parents may decide to build a new nest nearby. However, if the chicks are older and can fly, the parents may abandon the area altogether.
If you find an abandoned robin’s nest on your property, you can remove it, as robins will not come back to the same nest. Although, they may return to the same site, so if you don’t want them to rebuild, consider putting some type of blocker or screening over the location.
Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers generally build their nests in tree cavities so it’s less likely that they will be destroyed. If their nest is destroyed, they will often try to rebuild it.
Sometimes, though, if the damage is too great they’ll abandon the nest.
Hummingbirds
If their nest is destroyed, hummingbirds will often try to rebuild it if they haven’t yet laid their eggs. They will also stay close to the area to protect their chicks from predators.
If the nest is completely destroyed and the hummingbird can’t find their young, they may abandon it entirely and start their migratory journey.
Owls
By the end of nesting season, young owls can do a lot of damage to a nest all by themselves. If the nest is destroyed and the owlets are still in it, the parent birds will often build a new nest nearby.
If the nest is completely destroyed and the owlets are too young to fly, the parents will often take them with them to a new nest site.
Birds that Abandon Their Nests
Some species of birds will abandon their nests if they are destroyed. These birds typically build their nests in trees or on cliffs, and they often lay their eggs in a communal nest with other birds of the same species.
Some examples of these species include red-winged blackbirds, cedar waxwings, and brown-headed cowbirds. If the nest is destroyed, these birds will often simply fly away and leave the area.
Will a Bird Come Back to a Nest That Has Been Disturbed?
If you find a bird’s nest that has been abandoned or destroyed, you may be wondering if the bird will come back. The answer to this question depends on the species of bird and the nature of the disturbance.
Some birds will abandon their nests if they are disturbed, while others will simply move to another location nearby. If you find a disturbed nest, it is best to leave it alone and not try to rebuild it, as this can disturb the bird further.
What Should You Do If You Find an Empty Bird’s Nest?
If you find an empty bird’s nest, it is best to leave it alone. The parents may be nearby and they will not appreciate you disturbing their nest.
If you must move the active nest, try to do it as carefully as possible and put it back in the same place when you’re done. If you can’t put the nest back in its original spot, try to find a place nearby that is similar.
And, before you do anything, be sure to check and see if there are any legal restrictions on moving or destroying birds nests in your area. How do you know if the nest you see is a protected species? Contact your local Fish and Wildlife Service for more information about native bird species in your area.
It can be really upsetting to find an empty bird’s nest, especially if you were hoping to see some baby birds. But it’s important to remember that this is nature and sometimes things don’t go as planned. If you find an empty bird’s nest, the best thing to do is leave it alone and let nature take its course.
Birds are very sensitive to changes in their environment, and even moving the nest a few feet can be enough to stress them out.
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FAQ
What should you do if you find an empty bird’s nest?
If you find an empty bird’s nest, it is best to leave it alone. The parents may be nearby and they will not appreciate you disturbing their nest.
Is it legal to move a bird’s nest?
It depends on the area in which you live as well as the species of bird’s nest you’ve found. Check with your local Fish and Wildlife Service for more information about native bird species in your area.
Can moving a bird’s nest stress them out?
Yes, birds are very sensitive to changes in their environment, and even moving the nest a few feet can be enough to stress them out.
Conclusion: What Do Birds Do When Their Nest is Destroyed?
When a bird’s nest is destroyed, the parents will often try to rebuild it if they haven’t yet laid their eggs. If the nest is completely destroyed and the bird can’t find their young, they may abandon it entirely and start their migratory journey. Some species of birds will abandon their nests if they are disturbed, while others will simply move to another location nearby.
If you find an empty bird’s nest, the best thing to do is leave it alone. The parents may be nearby and they will be more likely to return to it if it’s not been disturbed.