Birding/mud on my shutters

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/28/2008


Question
some type of bird is putting globs of mud on the top of the shutters that hang along side of my front door.  This has been going on for about three days.  I clean it off and they keep coming back.  I saw the bird once- small and dark colored. Maybe a swallow?  Why does the bird do it and how do I stop it?
Thank you.

Answer
It could be a swallow or phoebe trying to build a nest. I have to tell you that interfering with this is illegal. It is illegal by federal law to harass any bird or disturb their eggs or nest. Before you do anymore, contact your local wildlife official for advice.

Birding

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.