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Birding/when to remove old nest

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Expert: - 5/28/2008


Question
we have a family of cardinals that have made nests and raised young several times during the past few years.  unfortunately, yesterday a black rat snake ate one of the hatchlings and the parents and remaining hatchling abandoned the nest.  we also have a nest in a bush remaining from last year.  i think i understand they will not return to last years nest and will probably not return to the newest nest due to the scent the snake most likely left behind.  can you advise me as to when i can safely remove the nests so that the bush might be used again for their next brood?
thanks in advance!

Answer
Cardinals do occasionally reuse their old nest, with a little refurbishing. The scent of a snake, or a human, will not deter the birds from nesting in that nest again. So, to be safe, you can remove last year's nest but leave the newest one for awhile.

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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

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