Monday, January 18, 2010

What do birds/squirrels do when their nest/ tree is cut down?

A family of magpies lived in a tree outside of my home. It was cut down today as the roots warped all of the pavements. The family of birds cant seem to understand that home is no longer there and are hanging aboiut on my wall. What will happen for them now as it is late at night? How long will it take for them to restart a new nest? I am just concerned as I love those birds.What do birds/squirrels do when their nest/ tree is cut down?
Birds only use a nest when they are having young. After that they don't use the nest any more, although some birds will reuse it for another clutch of eggs. Birds live mostly in tree branches and bushes. The tree that was cut down may have been one of the trees they were just used to being there. They will find another tree, don't worry, all will be well. Squirrels do live in their nests, and if it is destroyed, they will make another one elsewhere. They adapt very easily. Please read my profile.What do birds/squirrels do when their nest/ tree is cut down?
Generally, birds do not live in nests..they reproduce in them. Sure they may use the tree itself to sleep and roost in, but they should not be breeding so late in the year. If you live in the US, it is actually illegal to destroy a birds nest as they are protected by law. Other countries have similar laws, that is why it is suggest to only do trimming and cutting of trees during the fall and winter seasons as not to accidentally or purposely destroy nests. There are a FEW species that will build nests specifically to roost in, and magpies can be one of them, so if they were sitting on nests in the tree..they were empty nests, not containing eggs or chicks in which case you did not break the law, and in which case the birds will just move elsewhere and no real harm was done.
Find a new place to live.

3 comments:

  1. What happens to squirrels in the dead of winter, temps of 10 degees when their tree is cut down? How can they survive. We just had several blocks of Ash trees cut down at once. Overnight lows down to 0-5 deg F.

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  2. But what about the babies in the nest?

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  3. I have read that squirrels have backup nests to go to in case an aggressive squirell or parasites invade their nest or their tree gets cut down.In the winter I would guess it would be harder to find food that's why I always throw peanuts out for them. They are fun to watch.

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