What To Do With A Fallen Bird Nest With Eggs

It might be disconcerting to discover a bird’s nest that has fallen from a tree or shrub while the eggs are still inside. While saving the eggs may be your first reaction, there are appropriate and inappropriate ways to go about it. In case you’re pressed for time, here’s a brief response: As far up as you can, firmly reconnect the complete nest to its original or a neighboring spot.

Let the parents go back to tend to the eggs while you watch from a distance.

We will go over all you need to know about handling fallen bird nests including eggs in this extensive tutorial. You will discover safe handling techniques for the nest, when to try to rehang it, what to do if the eggs break, choices for caring for the eggs on your own, when to seek help from a professional wildlife rehabilitator, and advice on how to prevent nests from toppling in the first place.

Examining the circumstances

It’s crucial to evaluate the situation before acting upon a fallen bird nest containing eggs. This will safeguard the welfare of the eggs and any prospective parents as well as assist you in making selections.

Find Out If Your Parents Are Around

Checking to see whether the parents are close is the first step. Due of their strong innate need to preserve their eggs, many bird species will frequently return to their nests after they have fallen. To find out whether the parents are actively caring for the eggs, observe the nest for a time from a distance. They could be providing the hatchlings with food or warmth.

It is better to leave the nest undisturbed and allow the parents to continue taking care of it if you spot them nearby.

Examine the Eggs and Nest Carefully

The next step is to carefully investigate the eggs and nest if there are no traces of the parents or if it seems like it has been abandoned. Examine the condition of the fallen nest by carefully picking it up while using gloves to prevent the spread of bacteria or other toxins. Examine the eggs for any damage or cracks.

It is crucial to remember that touching the eggs should be kept to a minimum since too much handling raises the possibility of injury.

You may think about connecting the nest back to its original spot if the eggs are secure and unharmed and there isn’t an urgent danger to them. Secure the nest and eggs to a nearby sturdy limb or structure by gently placing them inside a shallow container or a tiny basket. This will boost the likelihood that the parents will discover and take care of the eggs while also offering some protection.

That being said, there is little chance of the eggs surviving if they are broken or damaged. It is important to appropriately dispose of the eggs in such circumstances. Never try to hatch the eggs yourself since this calls for certain skills and tools. Place the eggs in a covered trash can and dispose of them in a sealed bag or container.

Recall that the health of the eggs and the prospective parents should come first. It is always preferable to seek advice and help from your local wildlife authority or a professional wildlife rehabilitator if you are unclear about what to do or have any worries. They will be qualified to evaluate the circumstances and provide pertinent guidance.

Trying to Bring the Nest Back

Your initial reaction could be to attempt to move a fallen bird nest that contains eggs back to its original spot. Even while doing this might be a kind and noble deed, it’s crucial to proceed cautiously and keep the eggs’ and the birds’ welfare in mind.

Put on Gloves While Managing

Wearing gloves is essential to protecting both you and the eggs before trying to return the nest. Using your bare hands to handle the nest might spread your fragrance to the eggs, making the parent birds decide to give them up.

Wearing gloves will reduce the possibility of injury and improve the likelihood that the parent birds will accept the nest when it is brought back.

Select a Fitting Location

The safety and security of the eggs must be taken into consideration while choosing a place to replace the fallen nest. Find a site that is similar to the original, such a neighboring tree or bush. Make sure the location is protected from inclement weather and scavengers.

Giving the eggs a safe and appropriate environment increases their chances of surviving.

Make Sure the Nest Is Securely Placed

After deciding on a suitable position, firmly anchor the nest to its new location. Be sure the nest is solid and won’t be readily removed before attaching it to a branch or other structure using materials like twine or wire. While securing it, take care not to harm the nest or the eggs.

You may reduce the chance that the nest will collapse once again and raise the possibility that the parent birds will accept it by securely fastening it.

It’s crucial to remember that not every circumstance calls for trying to restore a fallen bird nest. For guidance and support in some situations, it could be beneficial to get in touch with a nearby animal rehabilitation facility.

They can decide what’s best for the eggs’ and the birds’ welfare since they have the knowledge and resources to do so.

How to Handle Cracked Eggs

Taking care of the problem is crucial when you find a fallen bird nest with split eggs. There are actions you may do to perhaps rescue the young birds within the eggs, despite the temptation to just leave them or discard them.

To provide the eggs a regulated environment in which to grow, building an incubator is one of the first things you can do.

How to Build an Incubator

You will need a tiny, lidded container, like a shoebox or plastic tub, to make an incubator. To provide the eggs a cushion, line the container with a soft object, such as cotton balls or tissue.

Carefully transfer the broken eggs into the container, taking care not to shake or turn them.

To give the eggs the greatest chance of surviving, you must then keep the incubator at the right temperature.

Keeping the Appropriate Temperature

Incubating bird eggs should be done at a temperature between 99 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37 and 38 degrees Celsius). To keep an eye on the incubator’s temperature and make any required modifications, you may use a thermometer.

You may use a low-temperature heating pad or a heat lamp to bring the temperature back up if it falls below the appropriate range. Steep temperature variations should be avoided as they may have a detrimental effect on the development of the embryos.

Increasing Incubator Humidity

Humidity is just as important to the development of the eggs as temperature. It is advised to maintain a humidity level of between 50 and 60 percent. This may be accomplished by softly spraying the eggs with water or by placing a tiny dish of water inside the incubator.

Take care not to overwet the eggs since this might encourage the spread of germs.

Flipping the Eggs

To guarantee even growth, it’s crucial to turn the eggs often. To prevent the embryo from adhering to the shell, the parents in nature would rotate the eggs. Gently flipping the eggs two or three times a day will allow you to replicate this.

To help you remember which way you flipped them, mark one side of the egg with a “X” and the other with a “O.”

Even though following these instructions is crucial for caring for fractured eggs, it’s vital to keep in mind that not all eggs will survive. Nature occasionally takes its course, and the embryos may have suffered permanent harm as a result of the fractured shells.

It is recommended to contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for advice and support if you have any queries or concerns about caring for fallen bird nest eggs.

Receiving Aid from Wildlife Rehabilitators

Take immediate action to protect the safety and wellbeing of the eggs when you discover a fallen bird nest. It might sometimes be essential to seek out assistance from a wildlife rehabilitator.

These experts have received the necessary training to care for wounded or abandoned animals, including birds and their eggs.

For Extremely Broken Nests

It is essential to get in touch with a wildlife rehabilitator if the bird nest has sustained significant damage and cannot be fixed or reattached to its original site. They are qualified to evaluate the circumstances and choose the best course of action.

They could decide to take the eggs under their care, giving them the right habitat and sustenance until they hatch and are ready to be returned to the wild.

If Parents Don’t Come Back

The parents of the eggs could sometimes abandon the collapsed nest. There are many possible causes for this, including harm or demise. Make sure to get in touch with a wildlife rehabilitator if the parents have not returned after a certain period of time.

They will be able to establish plans for the eggs’ welfare and provide advice on how to take care of them.

If You Are Unable to Give Adequate Care

It takes expertise and understanding to care for bird eggs in order to guarantee their survival. It’s essential to get in touch with a wildlife rehabilitator if you are unable to provide the required care. They can provide the eggs the proper care and attention to give them the greatest chance of surviving since they have the means and knowledge to do so.

Keep in mind that maintaining wild bird eggs without the required licenses or permissions is prohibited in many regions. It is preferable to seek the assistance of wildlife rehabilitators if you come across a fallen bird nest with eggs, since they are certified experts with the authority to care for wild creatures.

Visit the website of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association to locate a wildlife rehabilitator in your area. They provide a list of certified rehabilitators that can help you give fallen bird nests containing eggs the attention they need.

Keeping Future Nests from Falling

Although it might be disappointing to see a collapsed bird nest full of eggs, there are things you can do to make sure this doesn’t happen again. You may contribute to the nests’ protection and guarantee the security of the birds and their eggs by putting these preventative measures into practice.

Don’t Interrupt Nest Areas

Preserving the nest places is one of the greatest strategies to stop nests from falling. Birds choose their nesting locations carefully, and any disturbances may force them to leave the nest. Refrain from climbing trees or tampering with branches close to the nest.

You are providing a secure and unaltered habitat for the birds to construct their nests by giving them room.

Boost the Nest Anchoring

Enhancing the nest anchoring is another strategy to stop nests from falling. Leaves, grass, and twigs are just a few of the resources that birds use to construct their nests. However, sometimes, particularly in the event of severe winds or storms, these materials could not provide adequate stability.

By adding more materials to the nest, such feathers or soft moss, you may assist. This will give the nest more stability and keep it from toppling over.

Cut Off Difficult Branches

Branches that are too frail or thin to sustain the weight of the nest might sometimes be the cause of fallen nests. Nest collapse may be lessened by locating troublesome branches and pruning them.

Before pruning any branches, it’s crucial to speak with a qualified arborist, since they have the knowledge and experience to know which branches may be taken away without endangering the tree or the birds.

You may contribute to maintaining the stability and safety of bird nests and enabling birds to successfully rear their young by taking these preventative steps. You may contribute to the preservation of our feathery friends by following these measures, but remember that respecting animals and their natural habitats is important.

Final Thoughts

Although discovering a fallen bird nest full of eggs may seem urgent, taking a moment to evaluate the situation and choose the best course of action is crucial. Rehanging the complete nest with care to enable the parent birds to continue tending to it is often the best course of action.

You may take steps to provide the eggs and hatchlings with the greatest chance of survival by receiving expert rehabilitator aid or some useful advice on temporarily incubating fractured eggs.