Expert: Julia Booth - 7/4/2008

Question
QUESTION: A mother robin has settled in a bush in my back yard... Now that the chicks are born she attacks me everytime i go into the back yard.  She really swoops down on me eventhough i'm at least 20 yards away from the nest.  Is there any thing i can do to reduce her aggressive behavior?

ANSWER: Nope, nothing. She might lighten up a bit once the babies are a few days old. But I'd avoid going near there as much as possible.

If she figures out that you aren't a threat, she may give up on it.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: OK... How long do the babies take to leave the nest and should will removing the nest discourage her from coming back to the same spot?  Also will a bird like that really peck at a person or small dog when attacking? Thank you for your speedy answers.

Answer
Two weeks to incubate and two weeks to fledge. Yes they will attack anyone and anything that they think poses a threat to their offspring. I think taking the nest down once they leave will help. But Robins tend to continue caring for their babies on the ground, even after they leave the nest. So it might be a few weeks more before you're completely rid of them.

It could be worse. It could be a Mockingbird. I've been attacked by mom and dad before, while trying to get a picture. Actually Terns are worse than that. The people that monitor their nests wear hard hats.

Julia