Moving a bird's nest?

Question

I'm in college and my roommates and I are moving out of our house by the 31st of this month. When we were cleaning up the back porch, I was "attacked" (not really, just spooked :) ) by a mamma wren. Upon inspection, I found her nest, built into a couple of those fold up camp chairs. I do not want to just throw the nest away. She has 4 little eggs in there and she is still sitting on them.

The problem here is that even if I leave the chairs with the nest on the back porch, my lease company will charge me for it, and still throw them away. I've already called them and explained why I wanted to leave them, but they didn't care.

So, I want to move them somewhere so that they have a chance. Someone told me to try putting the nest into a bird cage and see if she'll go in so that I can take the whole thing to a state park of sorts. I just don't want to scare her that badly.

Does anyone at all know how to go about moving them without her abandoning the nest?

I know about not touching the nest so I wasn't going to do anything like that. There is a tree that they do fly into, but the problem with that is how the nest is designed. It's a carolina wren nest and it's really not a "handable" nest.

Answer 1

unfortunately there really is no way to relocate the nest. I don't know if it makes a difference, but it is illegal to move, destory or disturb a nest. All native birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. You could explain this to the rental company and let them know that you would be breaking the law by moving the nest, and that they could pay a fine by moving the chairs and nest themselves. See if this will get a response from them.

Answer 2

I agree, call a bird watchers' group. They might try to move the eggs out themselves; contrary to popular belief, not all birds abandon their babies just because they "smell like humans". Not sure if that's the case or not with wrens.
But I do know that wrens can make three or four nests a year, so don't worry about ruining their little lives either way, they'll survive. Nice that you cared. :)

Answer 3

I don't believe it is possible to do this. The adult bird will continue to try to return to the spot where her nest is now. It may be more humane to destroy the nest and eggs now rather than have your landlord come by after they have hatched and toss baby birds out on the ground to starve or be eaten by a cat or to toss them live in the garbage.

Answer 4

in case you touch or pass the nest, it quite is enormously possibly the mummy chicken won't return. in case you could desire to apply the bbq, then quite the terrific ingredient is to kill the birds at as quickly as and humanly by fact they are going to starve in any different case. (Assuming the chicken isn't on the "secure record") in case you do no longer choose the bbq, DO no longer something. the mummy chicken can get out and in, so the toddlers will do the comparable whilst they're mature sufficient. the mummy picked that region for a reason, do no longer doubt the mummy's instincts and the toddlers will strengthen and fly merely superb.

Answer 5

I agree with Joan. It is more humane to destroy the eggs now. The mother will reject the eggs after the nest has been moved anyways. She will go on and lay more eggs in a hopefully better location.

Answer 6

build a little sort of open platform maybe sort of secluded on one or two sides. and move the nest to it. if you can't catch the momma wren off her nest. move it with her on it but whatever you do don't touch her eggs or she won't come back to them. try to put it close to the same site you found it. good luck.......

Answer 7

Whatever you do dont touch the nest with your bare hands, because the mother wren which catch a smell of the humans around her nest and so desert it.

Answer 8

You might have to incubate the eggs (a light-bulb will do if it is the proper wattage) and feed the babies if you are so inclined. Otherwise, make scrambled eggs!

Answer 9

The cage will not work. Call a local bird watcher's club, maybe they can relocate it. No trees?