What do we do about nesting birds

[joaniet]

A Mockingbird pair have built a nest in shrubs next to our garage. There are eggs in the nest. The male is so protective that he dive bombs us. He has made contact with hubby six times, twice in the back of the head, and with me about five times, once in the head. Hubby is considering destroying the nest before the eggs hatch. What else can we do? We are not prepared to be hostages until the eggs hatch and the fledglings leave the nest.

[BarryRX]

I sure hope someone can come up with a suggestion. Please don't destroy the nest.

[gerryann]

Try using an umbrella when you have to pass the nest. There is a kind of umbrella that comes down over you quite a bit.

[red tail]

A Mockingbird pair have built a nest in shrubs next to our garage. There are eggs in the nest. The male is so protective that he dive bombs us. He has made contact with hubby six times, twice in the back of the head, and with me about five times, once in the head. Hubby is considering destroying the nest before the eggs hatch. What else can we do? We are not prepared to be hostages until the eggs hatch and the fledglings leave the nest.

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[Bogie Shooter]

This to shall pass............................
I read that; the incubation rate for mockingbirds is 12-13 days.

[gomoho]

If you pull in the garage before you get out are you safe then? Don't understand exactly what is happening. Mockingbirds can be some mean mothers... and fathers.

[The Mountaineer]

When we had robins set up a nest at our door, we just entered the house through the garage till the baby unfortunately wound up dead on our driveway and the parents flew away. When we lived in St. Petersburg, cardinals built a nest against our picture window and our children and us enjoyed watching the newborns show up, eyes closed and yaps open for food. Amazing! Way better than watching TV. I never tear down nests. I just figure out a way around it without harming nature's creatures. Unless, of course, a skunk were to set up housekeeping where I tred!

[gerryann]

Mockingbirds can be VERY difficult. Maybe the worst for dive bombing and protecting the nest.....I feel for ya! But I do hope you don't destroy the nest :(

[redwitch]

It's actually against the law to destroy a nest with eggs if the bird is migratory or native. You might try calling a local bird organization to see if they can help relocate the nest.

[perrjojo]

I have had Mockingbirds nest in our yard before and they are very aggressive. I feel your frustration. They are also the state bird of Florida so please don't destroy the nest. Right now we have a dove nesting in a hanging basket. She is unbelievably docile. Maybe you will get a dove next year.

[njbchbum]

It's actually against the law to destroy a nest with eggs if the bird is migratory or native. You might try calling a local bird organization to see if they can help relocate the nest.

"Why is a mockingbird attacking people walking down the sidewalk? What can I do about it?

"Mockingbirds are notorious for making nests in bushes or small trees near sidewalks, then dive-bombing pedestrians thinking they are in their territory and a threat to their nest. If this is happening for the first time, and a nest has already been made, you may have to avoid the area until the young have left the nest.

"Eggs hatch in two weeks, and young leave the nest two more weeks after that. Mockingbirds don't usually re-use their nests, but may return the following year to the same shrub or tree. If you notice the bird return the following year, you can try to discourage it from nesting with wind chimes, hanging metal strips, or repeated squirting with a 'super-soaker' squirt gun. This can also help discourage a loud mockingbird from singing outside your window during the night."
Frequently Asked Questions - Birds Causing a Problem | National Audubon Society Birds (http://birds.audubon.org/faq/birds/birds-causing-problem#t1431n4770)


National Audubon Society
National Audubon Society | Audubon (http://www.audubon.org)
102 E 4th Ave, Tallahassee, FL, US, 32303 · (850) 222-2473

[Bonny]

Aw, please don't destroy the nest !!! An umbrella over your head will protect you.

[renielarson]

Fortunately we had a Mourning Dove nest in our tree and they are very docile. I had hoped for more nests but am happy for the one we had. Our bird feeders attract Red Winged Blackbirds, Mourning Doves, Ground Doves, Thrashers, and ducks. Believe it or not, we wish we had hummingbirds, cardinals, and other varieties. Hopefully, in time, we will.

Please don't destroy the nest. Please deal with the aggravation and remember that a couple a weeks is, literally, a very short time.

[Didiwinbob]

My dog is also getting the rath of Ms. Mocking! This is her second attempt in setting up house in our bush. Grrrrrrr!

[sailor47]

of mocking bird in our trees in the side and back Yard. They are great entertainment. The drive our cat crazy. The cat cant lounge around the birdcage because they squawk at her all the time. Last week a black snake was slithering Thur the bushes and one of the birds literally chased it from our yard and kept on the snakes trail until he was two yards away.
Take care of your birds they pay back way more than the minor trouble, just use a different entrance for a few days.

[CFrance]

It won't take long. I know it's a pia right now, but you would feel terrible if you destroyed the nest. It'll just be a few more weeks.

We had some robin-sized black birds in MI (don't know the name) who built a nest in our front yard near where the dog liked to lounge outside on his line. They would dive bomb him and peck his head. They didn't like us sitting out there either. We all retired to the front deck instead for a couple weeks, and it wasn't long before everyone fledged and flew off.

[jblum315]

Just keep away from the nest area

[OBXNana]

A Mockingbird pair have built a nest in shrubs next to our garage. There are eggs in the nest. The male is so protective that he dive bombs us. He has made contact with hubby six times, twice in the back of the head, and with me about five times, once in the head. Hubby is considering destroying the nest before the eggs hatch. What else can we do? We are not prepared to be hostages until the eggs hatch and the fledglings leave the nest.

Do you have to go out the garage door to enter the house? Can you enter the house by using another door? It would be awful to feel you are being attacked on your own property and would also hate to see the nest disturbed. If another entrance isn't an option, an umbrella seems like a great idea.

[CFrance]

I would pull into the garage, turn the car off, close the garage door using the opener, and enter the house. In reversing that, just remember to open the garage door first!

[joaniet]

It is the entire property that this guy is protecting. Hubby needs to replace a sprinkler solenoid, I need to do gardening...can't wash car...etc., but we will let nature take its course. Nature includes a fairly large black snake that lives in our neighborhood, so we thought it would be kinder if we dispatched the eggs, but now that I know that to be illegal, we will see what happens. One of us will stand guard while the other goes about their chores.

[ROCKETMAN]

A Mockingbird pair have built a nest in shrubs next to our garage. There are eggs in the nest. The male is so protective that he dive bombs us. He has made contact with hubby six times, twice in the back of the head, and with me about five times, once in the head. Hubby is considering destroying the nest before the eggs hatch. What else can we do? We are not prepared to be hostages until the eggs hatch and the fledglings leave the nest.

We had exactly the same experience last summer only the bush was right next to our driveway so getting car, cart, yardwork, walking to get paper, divebombed every time. This year when i noticed they were building in the same place, took hose and sprayed water on the bush. They finally got the message and went elsewhere. I know all the bird people will say I was mean but it't people over animals.

[gomoho]

The Mockingbirds are crazy. I always see them flying after other larger birds and pecking at them. Mean little buggers.

[Barefoot]

... I need to do gardening...can't wash car...etc., but we will let nature take its course.

Good for you.
Mother Nature will be happy. :pepper2:

[kittygilchrist]

Well, Lord, there's no accounting for taste. I pray to have my own home mockingbirds to hear in the morning singing songs they have no copyright for. I am entertained by their aggressive dominance against flying things many times their size, and have laughed at them attacking my beloved, clueless dog. Little heroes protecting their families, I say, and more power to them. If you could catch the lot and re-home them, I'd buy them worms.

[TheVillageChicken]

Well, Lord, there's no accounting for taste. I pray to have my own home mockingbirds to hear in the morning singing songs they have no copyright for. I am entertained by their aggressive dominance against flying things many times their size, and have laughed at them attacking my beloved, clueless dog. Little heroes protecting their families, I say, and more power to them. If you could catch the lot and re-home them, I'd buy them worms.

Thanks for that...it reminded me of one of my favorite songs, The Avett Brothers' "January Wedding (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaj1zE0sUCI)" The last verse....

She knows which birds are singin'
And the names of the trees where they're performin' in the morning

[kittygilchrist]

Thanks for that...it reminded me of one of my favorite songs, The Avett Brothers' "January Wedding (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaj1zE0sUCI)" The last verse....

She knows which birds are singin'
And the names of the trees where they're performin' in the morning

TVC, I enjoyed the Ayett song this evening more than I would a mocker in the morning.
Ever thank you,
Kitty

[MoeVonB61]

Do not destroy the Nest....!!they ARE Gods creatures...we have Mockingbird, Doves, and Cardinal nests all around us...Cardinals are on their second brood of the Season.. :)

[travelguy]

and nesting birds are a problem because??? cmon...put up with the alleged inconvenience for a few weeks.

[dotti105]

On our lifestyle visit in May 2013, we stayed in the lakeside cottages behind the Lake Sumter Sales office.
We had a pair of mockingbirds that called to each other all night long. They were in a mature tree directly outside the master bedroom. I thought I would lose my mind!! Just when I thought they had stopped, they would start again. Never the same "calls". They are very original!!
I'm a nature lover, but at 3:30 in the morning it gets old!! During the day, it would be pleasant to hear, but I dreaded going to bed, because I knew I wasn't going to sleep!
I think they should be called "night owls"!! Haha!

[kittygilchrist]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCh2eyDSeNE
mockingbird at 2 a.m.

[getdul981]

What else can we do?

Pickleball paddle, tennis racquet or badminton racquet. Helps fine tune your reflexes for pickleball.