Don't handle baby robins or their nests if you can avoid it.
American robins are a common early spring sight across North America. These birds are known for their habit of pulling earthworms out of the soil, and have bright orange breasts and a cheerful song. These relatively large songbirds build nests in the spring, usually placed in trees or other high places. Under normal circumstances, robin nests cause no problems for homeowners, but sometimes they can become inconvenient.
Identification
Robins' nests are cup-shaped structures of dead grass, twigs, mud and other materials. The female robin builds the nest starting from the inside, adding material to the outside edge. She then lines the nest with soft grass, feathers or soft found materials. According to Cornell University, nests are about six to eight inches across and three to six inches high. Most robins build their nests on horizontal branches hidden in the leaves of a tree, but some birds will nest on house eaves, gutters, light fixtures or other structures. Prairie robins sometimes nest on the ground, and Alaskan robins occasionally build on cliffs or the sides of buildings.
Procedure
Most nests are fine on their own and can be ignored for the course of the breeding season. If a nest is inconveniently located on part of the house, on a shed or other structure, or around children's play equipment, remove it while it is still empty. The robin will simply abandon the area and build a new nest elsewhere. If the nest contains eggs or baby robins, leave it alone until the fledglings have become independent. Moving the nest or otherwise handling it may cause the mother to abandon it.
Considerations
If you find a baby robin on the ground around or under the nest, you may be tempted to care for it. However, many of these birds are not in danger. If the bird is not sick or injured, and has some feathers, it's meant to be hopping around on the ground. The parents are probably nearby, watching. If the baby is uninjured and still has feathers, place it back in the nest and watch to make sure the parents come back. If the original nest has been destroyed, make a substitute nest from a plastic tub lined with dry grass and hang it in the original location. According to the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, the parents often come back, unaware that the new nest is a substitute.
Warning
Never try to hatch robin eggs or raise a nestling yourself. Most people aren't able to provide the near-constant care that young robins require. Instead, call a wildlife rehabilitator if you find nestling robins or injured or sick fledglings. If you must remove a nest with young robins inside, contact your local rehabilitator, your state wildlife agency or a local vet with wildlife experience. These professionals can take over the parenting role and raise the young birds to adulthood safely.
Related posts
Nestling robins should still be in the nest.Baby robins must to learn to fly, and they do this by jumping out of the nest and practicing while on the ground. This can give the impression that they...
Nestling robins are small and unfeathered.Many people feel compelled to act when faced with a baby bird on the ground. The small creature seems so helpless and vulnerable that the first impulse is...
Take Care of Baby Birds Fallen From a NestIf you've discovered a baby bird on the ground, don't automatically rush to help it. The first step is to determine if the baby bird is a nestling or a fl...
Robins are protected under Federal Law and cannot be held by anyone other than licensed rehabilitators.Keeping a robin, or any songbird is illegal. Baby birds must be brought to a wildlife rehabil...
The parakeet uses nesting material as needed.Parakeets in nature often use grass or feathers to line their nests. Under captive conditions, parakeets typically breed in wooden nest boxes. Inexperi...
