...I have some baby birds that have been removed from their nest in a building.

It is common for certain species of cavity nesting birds, such as European Starlings and House Sparrows, to build nests in the crevices of buildings or in dryer / bathroom / stove vents to raise their young. Once the babies hatch, the parents fly back and forth from the nest with food. The babies chirp loudly when they anticipate being fed, a noise that often alerts home or business owners to their presence. Although they sometimes nest in locations inconvenient for people, they typically cause little damage and remain in the nest for a short time, usually 2-3 weeks. After this time, the babies leave the nest and do not return, at which point the nesting material can be removed and the entrance hole covered with ½” wire mesh to prevent future nesting.

If the parents are in the process of raising young, it is critical for the babies that they remain in the nest (or be returned to their nest) so their parents can continue caring for them. If it is impossible to leave the babies in the nest (as in cases of active construction on the building), they can often be placed in a false nest (click here for instructions on how to build one) hung over the original location. Parent birds identify their babies by location and will not care for them in a new spot. Because the babies remain in the nest for such a short period of time (2 to 3 wks), with a little tolerance and ingenuity, they usually do not present a problem.

How do I build a false nest? Click here for instructions.

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