do birds return to old nests

Now that the leaves have fallen off the trees, I’ve discovered several intact bird’s nests around my yard. I believe one was a cardinal’s nest, another belonged to catbirds and another was a robin’s nest. Will these birds reuse their old nests next year? Will other birds use them? Finally, can they detect that a nest has been touched by human hands?

When is it safe to remove bird nests without interfering with nature?

The majority of birds only use their nests once, and they build new ones every spring. But before you rush to remove that empty nest from your porch light, keep in mind that there is a small exception to the “one-and-done” rule. Certain species, like the American Robin, can have two or three broods in a single season. If so, Mama Bird might return in a few days to incubate a new batch of eggs in the same location. But they would also construct a new nest for the upcoming season and beyond.

Once you’re positive the birds have finished building their nest, you can dispose of it guilt-free.

The luxury enjoyed by the birds on your list, Bob, is that they can nest in a range of habitats. But other birds aren’t as flexible. For example, Eastern Phoebes are in severe need of covered ledges on which to construct their nests. When they come back in the spring, they frequently discover that many of the best locations are overrun with last year’s nests. Thankfully, these nests have been protected throughout the winter and might be in good condition. The phoebes only need to add a small amount of new material to be ready to go. The phoebe will cover up the damage and act as if nothing happened, even if the old nest still contains dead chicks or failed eggs from the previous occupants. Keeping that in mind, avoid looking in the basement if you ever visit a Phoebe family.

Then there are birds that have no special habitat requirements. These birds will nest just about anywhere. If another creature constructs a nest for them, they will, in fact, nest anywhere. Great Horned Owls are aware that they possess the carpentry abilities of a concert pianist. They won’t even try to build a nest. When the time comes for them to lay eggs, they just search for the closest nest that suits their needs. Nests made by hawks, herons, crows, and even squirrels are suitable for them. Former landlords are afraid to argue with great-horned birds because they are the ultimate squatters. There’s no security deposit, no first and last month’s rent, and most definitely no haggling involved. The owls settle in immediately and don’t make any improvements to the land. When they have completed nesting, their “borrowed” land will likely be in poor condition and either abandoned or purchased by the government.

With rare exceptions, the majority of birds typically construct new nests every year. That doesn’t mean you can go out and collect any nests you come across. Due to centuries of unethical collecting, laws protecting bird nests and the birds themselves have been passed by the government. Furthermore, even abandoned nests can be helpful because some socially conscious birds will reuse parts of abandoned nests the next spring. You know those birds. They are the ones with the beads, beards, and ponytails.

Bob, you asked in the last section of your question whether birds could detect when a nest has been tampered with by humans. Mothers’ most frequently remembered rule is, “Don’t touch bird nests or the birds will smell you and abandon the nest.” These two are followed only by me and my family: “Don’t run with scissors” and “Don’t stick your tongue in the fan.” To put it succinctly, you can touch the nest as much as you like. A songbird’s sense of smell isn’t very acute. This implies that they won’t be able to detect how awful your cologne smells. Birds are so lucky.

Since the leaves have dropped from the trees, I’ve found several intact bird nests in and around my yard. I think that one was a cardinal’s nest, another was a catbird’s nest, and a robin’s nest. Will these birds use their previous nests the following year? Will other birds use them? Lastly, are they able to recognize when a nest has been tampered with by humans?

FAQ

What birds return to the same nest every year?

Should I remove old bird nests?

Will birds return to an abandoned nest?

Will birds move into an old nest?