You could have spotted small nests or eggs hidden in the bushes, trees, flower beds, or even on the ground in your yard. They could look broken, like they were left behind, or like they don’t belong. If you want to “help,” the first thing that comes to mind might be to move them, clean up the area, or check on the eggs. But that could be against the law, and more importantly, it could injure the birds that need that spot to live.
Many people don’t know that the law protects some wild birds and their nests in the US and other places. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) is one of the first laws in the U.S. to protect animals. In 1918, it was given the green light. It is against the law to chase, hunt, take, seize, kill, or sell migratory birds, their nests, eggs, or even their feathers without a formal permit. The guideline warns that even activities that seem harmless, like moving a nest, picking up an egg, or pulling down a tree during nesting season, could be against the law.
You might be surprised to learn that this law protects a lot of garden birds that are common. This law protects more than just animals that are about to die out. Cardinals, finches, mourning doves, robins, swallows, and sparrows are also safe. The federal government safeguards some animals that could live in that little nest in your hedge.
But this protection isn’t only about regulations and sanctions; it’s also about keeping a fragile part of our environment secure. The breeding season is when birds are at their most delicate and important. Many species only have one or two nests a year, so losing even one brood can have a big effect on their numbers, especially when you think about habitat loss, pesticide exposure, urban growth, and changes in the environment.
It takes a lot of time and labor for a bird to make the right nest, find a safe place to store the eggs, and keep them warm. The parent birds may get scared and leave the eggs or chicks alone if a person or pet comes near the nest, even once. The newborns can die in a few hours because they can’t eat or keep their bodies warm. And since birds don’t know what people want, even a simple check-in can kill them.
If too many people walk by, mow the lawn too regularly, or make loud noises, birds may have problems protecting and caring for their young. That’s why wildlife specialists urge humans not to touch, move, or do anything with nests.
If you find a nest in or near your yard, here are some things you should do right away:
Don’t touch or move the nest, even if it looks empty. Some parent birds leave the nest for a brief period and then come back.
Keep kids and dogs away from the area where the birds are nesting. Teach kids how to look from a distance without being rude or creating noise.
If you know that birds are nesting nearby, don’t do things like trim trees, prune bushes, or mow the lawn.
The first thing you should do if you notice a nest in a risky position, like a dryer vent or construction scaffolding, is call a professional animal rehabilitator or your local Department of Natural Resources.
Do not feed or try to “help” the baby birds; this could confuse the parents or slow down the chicks’ growth.
If you break the MBTA, you might get a fine of up to $15,000 or perhaps go to jail. But most of the time, wildlife agents will try to instruct someone who accidentally affects a nest first. But the most essential thing is to end it.
Letting nature take its course is not only legal, but it also has a calm beauty. Nests are not only pretty, but they are also practical. Birds make them with their instincts, skills, and care. Watching a family of birds grow from eggs to hatchlings and then fly for the first time is a reminder of how hard and dangerous nature can be, even in our own backyards.
If you find a small nest hidden in the grass or between trees when you’re mowing, gardening, or just walking about your yard, stop and think before you do anything. Respect the simple building for what it is: a place to live. Even if your backyard isn’t very interesting, it can still help protect wildlife, promote biodiversity, and give birds a safe place to raise their young.
Sometimes, the best thing we can do for nature is to let it alone.