Mud nesting birds have built a home under the eve next to my back door, and I’m delighted, but not so much.
I love the idea that they are having babies in a place where I can see them. I hate the idea of cleaning up after them. I have a hard enough time keeping my own nest tidy, much less a family of feathered friends.
I attempted to discourage their choice of location by washing away the nest. But, these birdies were determined, and they promptly remuddied their home and settled in to raise a family. I didn’t have the heart to be Hurricane Margo and dismantle all their hard work again.
So now, the mother bird is sitting on her eggs, and I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of the babies.
My concern is what happens after the little ones fly off to begin their search for food and shelter? Will Mama and Papa stay around, littering my entry way with their droppings and dive bombing visitors making their way to the door?
Bird lovers, Help! I’ve never attempted to build a mud nest so I don’t think I can effectively relocate this couple. But I’m not excited about having them as non-paying renters year round.
I’m open to any and all suggestions on how to provide low-cost housing to displaced residents. I don’t want to build a wall and have the bird community as a whole pay for it. Seems a bit extreme.
So, what suggestion might you offer…that does not require armed guards and incarceration.
I have a few days since the ‘nesting’ phase is still underway, but I’m just preparing for the future.
This is NOT a paid political advertisement, and I am NOT running for POTUS. National bird health care is not required, and higher minimum wages won’t be considered. I simply want a humanitarian solution to a non-human problem.
that little voice 
Margo I’ve had these birds before, but mine have always left the nest when the babies fly.
Kareyb
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Hope you are right. I’ll dispose of the nest and urge them to relocate.
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Worst case scenario, I have two cats who would be happy to visit – best of luck!🙃
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Bring on those cats if the birds insist on remain.
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Fergus has put himself on call for you – his litter is packed and ready to go!😂
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I’ll send an SOS if needed. Keep Fergus’ bags packed!
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😸😺
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Margo – What a witty and charming post! I haven’t had these kind of birds, but Wrens and Cardinals and Robins near me. Soon as the babies were gone so were Mom and Dad. Jo
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I’m hoping that is their short term plan. My concern is their long term plan…year after year.
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Margo, those mud nesting birds are barn swallows. Once the babies are flying on their own they’ll the family will abandon that nest and you can remove it. However, they’ll usually return to the same place year after year to have their babies.
We have a nest on our front porch as well. the babies are out and flying so they’ll go away soon and we can take down that nest. Some folks paint the underside of porches and eaves sky blue which seems to deter the nest building. I just grin and bare it til the family is gone because watching the babies synchronized aerobatics as they grow into their wings is such fun.
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I do want to watch the fledgings learn to fly, and I like to see the parents feed the little ones. I am just not excited about cleaning up after them.
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They will move on after the fledglings leave the nest. You can deter them in future by fitting a bevelled edging under the eaves. They like a right angle, preferably with a little ledge below on which to attach the mud foundation. Alternatively, you can purchase suitable nests made of resin, and fit them in an area of your choice so they will (hopefully) choose that rather than one that is inconvenient to you. Good luck, and enjoy watching them!
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Thank you for the information. Once the little ones are gone I’ll look to see how to fix the location so it isn’t as attractive to them as you suggestion.
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You got some nice pictures at least! We had some mockingbirds that built a nest between our living room window and a shrub, right where our dog loved to sleep. They tormented her so she had to relocate until they moved on, which didn’t seem fair at all. She was there first!
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It doesn’t seem fair, but then, birds sense of fairness seems to be non-existing.
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Mud nest ..I haven’t seen one anytime. Thanks for sharing pic.
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I had never seen a mud bird nest until these two showed up. They work on it continuously. Most enjoyable to watch.
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