HELP: Can I move/remove a mud nest being built by swallows? (1 Viewer)

[ssaxcb]

Hi all!

I have two swallows building a mud nest above a sprinkler on my apartment patio. The nest doesn't look complete yet, and since it's early in their return I'm hoping it's okay to encourage them to nest somewhere else. I don't want this to hurt the birds, though, and I'm aware that any intentional harm to the birds or their young is very illegal.
If this information is helpful, I'm in Mid-Missouri and they began building their nest a bit under two weeks ago. If it's necessary, I'm happy to leave the nest alone until they've raised their young but would prefer to get rid of them as the droppings/parasites from their young are a big health concern for me.

If anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it!

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. I hope you enjoy your visits.

 

[Lisa W]

Hi, first off welcome to the forum. The Migratory Bird Act does not allow for the removal of nests with eggs in them, or with young birds still present. If no eggs are laid you can remove them. However, it is really fun to watch the little ones grow, even with the droppings they produce.

 

[ssaxcb]

Hi, first off welcome to the forum. The Migratory Bird Act does not allow for the removal of nests with eggs in them, or with young birds still present. If no eggs are laid you can remove them. However, it is really fun to watch the little ones grow, even with the droppings they produce.

Thank you, Lisa! A few of my friends are bird-lovers and they say the same! I'd like to try to move the nest if possible and get a nest shelf or something that they can use that's still nearby, but over our patio so that we don't have to deal with the droppings and all. Would that be possible at this stage?

 

[Lisa W]

I’m not very familiar with swallows, so really can’t give an answer to the last question. Sorry.

 

[jmepler]

I am assuming that they are Barn Swallows. It is nearly impossible to remove a Barn Swallow nest without destroying it. So, no, you won't be able to relocate it. If they aren't too far along in their building, you may be able to encourage them to build elsewhere with the addition of a nest platform. Googling "barn swallow nest platform" yields lots of options, or ideas that you can construct yourself if you are handy.