Quick Answers
Some quick answers to common questions about finding a robin’s nest with eggs:
Is it illegal to disturb a robin’s nest?
Yes, it is illegal to disturb or interfere with a robin’s nest under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Robins are protected under this law.
What should I do if I find a robin’s nest in my yard?
If you find a robin’s nest with eggs or baby birds in your yard, the best thing to do is leave it alone. Avoid any activities that could disturb the nest, and keep children and pets away from the area.
When will the baby robins leave the nest?
Baby robins typically leave the nest 11-14 days after hatching. It’s best not to interfere and let the mother robin take care of feeding and caring for the chicks.
What if a nest falls down or is abandoned?
If a nest falls from its perch or seems to be abandoned, you should contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for guidance. Don’t attempt to return chicks to the nest yourself.
Identifying a Robin’s Nest
Robins typically build their nests in trees, gutters, eaves or other sheltered spots high off the ground. Here are some tips for identifying a robin’s nest:
– Made of grass, twigs, feathers and mud
– Cup-shaped structure about 6 inches across
– Often found on branches or building ledges 5-15 feet off the ground
– May contain 3-5 light blue eggs
If you spot a nest that matches this description in or near your yard, it’s likely belonging to a robin. Be careful not to disturb the nest and alert others to avoid the area as well.
Reasons Not to Disturb the Nest
There are a few important reasons you should not disturb a robin’s nest if you find one on your property:
It’s illegal
As mentioned, robins are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This law prohibits harming, harassing or interfering with robins and other native bird species. Fines can be up to $15,000 per individual bird harmed.
The mother may abandon the nest
If you get too close to the nest or touch the eggs, the mother robin may sense a threat and abandon the nest. This will put the eggs and future hatchlings in jeopardy.
You could attract predators
Your presence around the nest may draw the attention of predators like cats, raccoons or snakes. This puts the eggs and hatchlings in danger.
The chicks may jump out prematurely
If you startle the chicks in the nest, they may attempt to flee by jumping out of the nest before they’re ready. This can be dangerous for chicks that aren’t yet able to fly.
What to Do if You Find a Nest in Your Yard
Here are some tips if you discover a robin’s nest with eggs in your yard:
Leave it be
In most cases, the best course of action is to leave the nest alone and avoid the area. Don’t prune any branches or remove nesting materials. Just let the mother robin continue caring for her eggs.
Wait 2 weeks before resuming yardwork
Avoid mowing, trimming or using loud equipment within 30 feet of the nest for at least 2 weeks after the eggs have hatched. This gives the hatchlings time to grow before they leave the nest.
Protect it from predators
Don’t leave pet food or water near the nest, as this can attract predators. Prune any vegetation that may allow cats or other predators an easy route to the nest.
Monitor from a distance
You can observe the nest from at least 10 feet away to get a glimpse of the mother robin’s progress without disturbing her. Use binoculars if needed.
Call a wildlife professional if problems arise
If the nest falls, seems abandoned or run into any other issues, call a local wildlife rehabilitator, state wildlife agency or avian expert for advice rather than intervening yourself.
What to Avoid Doing if You Find a Nest
It’s understandable to want to get a closer look at a robin’s nest or help the eggs hatch, but there are some actions you should avoid:
Don’t touch or move the nest
Never handle the eggs or physically relocate the nest. The mother robin may reject the eggs if your scent gets on them.
Don’t try to raise hatchlings yourself
If eggs hatch or you find chicks in a fallen nest, don’t feed or care for them yourself. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators have the proper techniques.
Don’t use chemical pest control methods near the nest
Avoid applying pesticides or other chemicals nearby, as the fumes can be dangerous to the robins.
Don’t let pets or children disturb the nest
Keep dogs on leashes and supervise kids playing in the yard to prevent anyone from interfering with the nest.
Don’t prune branches or remove the nest
Let the mother robin come and go freely to feed the chicks. Only remove the nest after fully confirmed the chicks have fledged.
What to Do if a Nest Falls from a Tree
It’s not uncommon for a storm or other event to knock a robin’s nest down from the tree branches. Here’s what to do if this happens in your yard:
Secure the Area
Gently place a laundry basket or cardboard box over the fallen nest to protect the eggs/chicks from predators.
Look for Injuries
Carefully inspect the chicks for any injuries from the fall without touching them. If you see any injuries, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.
Evaluate the Situation
Determine if the original nest location is still useable. Can the mother robin simply relines the nest where it fell and continue caring for the chicks? If so, she may return and repair it herself.
Attempt to Return the Nest
If the original location no longer works but chicks appear uninjured, you can attempt to return the nest if it’s reachable. Use extreme caution and avoid touching eggs.
Call for Help
If the nest cannot be returned or chicks injured, call a wildlife rehabilitator who may take over caring for the hatchlings. Don’t feed or house them yourself.
How to Care for Fallen Nestlings
If baby robins have fallen from the nest before they can fly and the mother does not return, here’s how a wildlife rehabilitator may care for them:
– House in a ventilated box with air holes and nest lining
– Keep chicks warm with a heating pad or incubator
– Feed every 20-30 minutes with a specialized formula via syringe
– Stimulate to go to the bathroom after feedings
– Transition to feeding worms and insects after 1-2 weeks
– Release once fully feathered and able to feed independently
Again, always contact an expert rather than attempting to raise baby robins on your own. Self-rescue should be a last resort.
Signs that Hatchlings Have Fledged the Nest
If a robin built a nest in your yard earlier in the season, here are some signs to look for to know if the chicks have successfully left the nest:
– Nest appears empty but intact
– Hear fully feathers fledglings begging nearby
– Spot juveniles with some down still on heads and bodies
– See parents feeding chicks on ground or tree branches
– Notice robins’ comings and goings slow down
– No signs of disturbance like scattered feathers or limbs
Once the young robins have fledged and appear to be thriving on their own, it’s safe to remove the empty nest. Use gloves and dispose of it away from your home so rodents aren’t attracted to the area.
Reasons to Call a Wildlife Rehabilitator
In some situations involving robins’ nests, the best course of action is to contact a professional wildlife rehabilitator or your state wildlife agency for guidance, such as:
– Finding an injured chick on the ground
– Discovering abandoned eggs or hatchlings
– Noticing a dead adult robin nearby
– Nest falling and unable to rehang it
– Tree holding nest is scheduled for removal
– Chicks jumping from nest prematurely
Look up wildlife rehabilitators in your state to have a contact handy before any issues arise. Don’t attempt rescue measures without consulting an expert first.
Summary of What to Do If You Find a Robin’s Nest
Here’s a quick summary of tips if you stumble upon a robin’s nest in your yard:
– Don’t touch nest, eggs or hatchlings
– Avoid disturbing nest for at least 2 weeks after hatching
– Prevent pets and kids from interfering
– Don’t attempt to raise any fallen chicks
– Call a wildlife rehabilitator for help when needed
– Wait for fledglings to leave nest before removing it
– Leave fledglings be as parents still care for them
The best practice is to just leave the nest alone and let nature take its course. With proper care, the hatchlings will likely thrive. Only interfere if the nest is endangered or abandoned.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for robin eggs to hatch?
Robin eggs typically hatch 12-14 days after the mother starts incubating them. The chicks fledge the nest another 10-16 days after hatching.
What do you do if a baby bird dies in the nest?
Sadly, some hatchlings don’t survive past leaving the egg. If one dies in the nest, you can remove it with gloves and dispose of it away from the nest site so it doesn’t attract predators. The mother may discard it herself.
Can you touch baby birds and return them to the nest?
It’s best not to touch hatchlings if possible, but in some cases they can be safely returned to the nest by hand if they are uninjured and you avoid leaving your scent. Wash hands thoroughly first.
When can you remove an empty robin’s nest?
Wait at least 2-3 days after spotting fledglings in your yard and no activity at the nest. Then it should be safe to remove the vacant nest with gloves on.
Do mother robins recognize their babies by sight or smell?
Mother robins identify their chicks primarily through auditory cues when the chicks chirp and beg for food. Their sense of smell is not very strong, so they may reject chicks that smell unfamiliar.
Conclusion
If you find a robin’s nest in your yard, the best course of action is usually just to leave it alone. Avoid disturbing the birds and let nature take its course, as mother robins are very devoted to raising their young. Only interfere if the nest has fallen or hatchlings are in imminent danger. In that case, contact a wildlife rehabilitator for expert assistance and advice. With proper care, the baby robins will likely thrive and successfully fledge the nest when they’re ready.