Stepping outside yesterday as the morning dew gleamed on the hydrangeas, I saw something unusual about the female Northern Cardinal who usually frequents the platform feeder for black oil sunflower seeds. Instead of stopping by for a snack as she typically does, she was gathering handfuls of dead grass and small roots. This was a clear sign something was happening. Stopping by the bushes to see if you can find a nest is not how you find out if there is a nest in your yard. You have to watch the birds and see if they are carrying materials. Finding a nest is one of the best experiences of watching birds in your garden. It is like turning your yard into a nursery. Birds can be very good at hiding their nests in dense shrubs and high tree branches. Instead of looking for the nest, I prefer looking for the signs the parents leave behind.

The Construction Phase: Beaks Full of Building Supplies

Before there are eggs in a nest, there is a lot of building to do. If you spend some time relaxing on your porch, watch for birds carrying building materials. It is one of the best signs that there is a nest being built nearby. Different species prefer different materials. Different materials can even give you a clue as to who is moving in.

• American Robins: Watch for them gathering mouthfuls of wet mud and long blades of dead grass.
• Chickadees and Titmice: Look for them plucking pet hair from your yard or gathering soft green moss.
• Hummingbirds: Keep an eye out for these tiny acrobats hovering near eaves to steal sticky spiderwebs, which they use to bind their lichen nests together.

If you see a bird collecting specific materials, try to follow them. They often move in a straight line to their chosen nesting location.

The Grocery Run: Carrying Food Away from Feeders

After the eggs hatch, the parents do a complete change in behavior. They become an errand running service. If you saw a bird flying to your yard with a green caterpillar, an insect, or any other type of food, and she didn’t eat it on the spot, you are correct, there is an active nest. This is a great time to observe the habits of the birds. Personally, I enjoy watching Carolina Wrens as they hop around the leaf litter. They are very active and are often loading their beaks with with so many spiders and grubs that it almost looks as though they have a mustache. They will then dart into a ferns or bushes to cover. hanging fern

The Cleanup Crew: Spotting Fecal Sacs

It might seem a bit gross, but this is an interesting fact that I love to share with new bird watching friends. Baby songbirds are, in fact, very neat and have a special way of keeping their nests clean. Instead of defecating in the nest, they enclose their feces in a special sac, which is made of durable white mucus, called a fecal sack. field-journal In order to protect the nest from predators, the parents will also remove the fecal sacs from the nest so that the scent doesn’t give away the location. If you see a bird carrying a tiny white “marshmallow” away from a bush, you can bet that there is a nest of baby birds inside.

Sudden Secrecy and Alarm Calls

When birds start a family, they start acting differently. If you walk close to certain trees or bushes, and you start to hear aggressive, scolding high-pitch noises, like a chipping sparrow, or mockingbird scolds, you have wandered too close to a nest. Some birds, like, the Killdeer, will try to “distract” you by dragging themselves and acting like they are hurt to lure you away from their nest which is usually very well camouflaged.

The Soundtrack of Spring: Begging Calls

When the nestlings start to grow, they can become very loud. Even if the nest is hidden, it can still be very noisy. If an adult bird flies to a bush, you can hear the birds there. They are usually begging and this causes high-pitched noises which is very distinct. When the parent bird returns the babies go quiet, and the parent will leave again to get food.

Nesting Clues Quick-Reference

What You See or Hear	What It Means	Stage of Nesting
Carrying twigs, mud, or hair	Building the structure	Early (Pre-egg)
Bird vanishes into the same bush repeatedly	Incubating eggs or shading babies	Middle (Incubation)
Carrying food away / Fecal sacs	Feeding and cleaning up after young	Late (Nestlings)
Frantic buzzing/peeping sounds	Babies are begging for food	Late (Nestlings)

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I accidentally disturb a hidden nest?

Just back away and try to leave the area quiet and hope that the birds’ parental instincts kick in. Birds will return to the nest as long as they feel that the threat, or you, is gone. Avoid that area of your yard.

How long will the birds be in my yard?

The birds are very quick! It will only take a few weeks to watch your birds grow from babies to a point where they will leave the nest. It is a great time to keep your cats inside. Exploring your backyard can be an exciting adventure that happens every day. When you pay attention to the little details, you will discover an entire hidden world full of wildlife.