Expert: Julia Booth - 5/24/2008

Question
Hi, i need to remove a bush by my house but I'm waiting because there is a cardinal nest with 2 eggs in the bush.  I have read that the eggs will hatch in 11-13 days, and then the chicks will first leave the nest 7-13 days after hatching.  But I don't know if it's safe to remove the bush/nest as soon as the chicks first leave the nest or if I should wait some time after that.  Do they return to the nest to sleep or use it for other activities?  Thank you.

Answer
Do you have any way of knowing whether or not this clutch is the first one? Cardinals will often have three broods in one breeding season, one right after the other. They may not be "done" with the next yet.

Is it mandatory that you remove the bush or can it wait a bit?