Birds Surprisingly Nesting in Christmas Trees - A Holiday Phenomenon

The Surprising Phenomenon of Birds Nesting in Christmas Trees

As the holiday season comes to an end, many families are left with the question of what to do with their Christmas tree. While some may promptly take their trees down on December 26th, others choose to leave them up a little longer to extend the holiday spirit. However, leaving your Christmas tree up too long can result in some unexpected visitors - birds!

Believe it or not, birds nesting in Christmas trees is a rather common occurrence. As natural nesting sites become harder to find due to urbanization and deforestation, birds are seeking out alternative options for building their nests and raising their young. And it turns out that an unused Christmas tree makes for a pretty good nesting spot!

Why Birds Choose to Nest in Christmas Trees

There are a few key reasons why birds may choose to build a nest in your Christmas tree:

• Shelter - The dense branches provide shelter, protection from predators, and insulation from the elements.
• Materials - Birds can use tinsel, garland, and other decorations to help build the nest structure.
• Height - Being elevated off the ground helps keep eggs and chicks safer from other animals.
• Camouflage - The green branches allow the nest to blend in and be less noticeable to predators.
• Leftover food - Birds can scavenge crumbs and other food left on the branches.

What Kinds of Birds Nest in Christmas Trees?

Many different species of birds have been known to nest in Christmas trees. Here are some of the most common:

• Finches - Goldfinches, house finches, and purple finches are small songbirds that build cup-shaped nests.
• Chickadees - These tiny acrobatic birds will nest in trees and birdhouses.
• Doves - Surprisingly, mourning doves will build flimsy platform nests in trees.
• Robins - Robins weave nests out of grass, twigs, and even Christmas decorations.
• Sparrows - House sparrows in particular like to nest in evergreen trees in urban areas.
• Wrens - The tiny Carolina wren will happily move into an abandoned nest.

Signs That Birds are Nesting in Your Christmas Tree

Here are some clues that birds may have moved into your holiday tree:

• Nest spotting - Look for nests that blend into the branches, often 10-20 feet up.
• Interested birds - You may see birds coming and going, gathering nesting material.
• Protective parents - Adult birds swooping at you when you go near the tree.
• Chirping - Hungry chicks making frequent noises.
• Droppings - Bird poop falling from the branches.
• Feathers - Finding feathers scattered on the floor around the tree.

What to do if Birds Nest in Your Christmas Tree

Finding a bird's nest with eggs or chicks in your Christmas tree can be a surprising and magical wildlife encounter. Here are some tips on what to do if this happens to you:

1. Leave the Tree Alone

If at all possible, you should leave the bird nest undisturbed until the chicks have left the nest on their own, which usually takes 3-4 weeks. Parent birds are very protective and may abandon the nest if they feel threatened. Leaving the nest alone ensures the best chance of survival for the chicks.

2. Don't Bring the Tree Inside

Obviously, relocating the tree indoors with a nest would be extremely stressful to the parent birds. The best solution is finding a way to leave the tree outside until the chicks fledge. If needed, you can very carefully move the tree to a sheltered spot.

3. Remove Decorations

Eliminate any decorations, tinsel, garland, and lights from the tree that could entangle or entrap the birds. Be sure to keep dogs, cats, and children away as well.

4. Provide Supplementary Food/Water

Consider providing extra food and clean water near the tree to help the parent birds out. Suet, seed mixes, and mealworms give essential nutrition for rearing chicks.

5. Monitor the Nest

Keep an eye on the nest from a distance to make sure the parents are returning and feeding the chicks. Contact a wildlife rehab center if the nest is abandoned before the chicks can survive on their own.

6. Plan for Next Year

To prevent birds from nesting in your Christmas tree again, be sure to store it in a sealed box or bag after use. Bringing the tree down promptly after the holidays can also deter nesting.

The Legality of Removal

It is extremely important to note that it is illegal to remove or disturb active bird nests under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Fines can be up to $15,000 and prison time up to 6 months per offense. So if a nest is found, it's best to let it be until the birds have left on their own.

The Reward of Watching Birds Raise Their Young

While having your Christmas tree turned into a bird nursery may not have been your intention, consider yourself lucky to have a front row seat to witnessing nature unfold right on your property. Birds raising their chicks can be an incredibly rewarding experience. You'll get to watch the hatchlings grow, see the dedication of the parents, and know that you played a small role in giving these birds a chance at survival. After all the hustle and stress of the holiday season, pausing to observe new life flourishing can be a calming reminder of the miracles all around us.

FAQs

Why do birds nest in Christmas trees?

Birds nest in Christmas trees for the shelter, materials, height, camouflage, and leftover food they provide. The dense branches give protection, and birds use decorations to build nests up high where they are safer from predators.

What kinds of birds use Christmas trees for nests?

Finches, chickadees, doves, robins, sparrows, and wrens are some birds that nest in Christmas trees. These species build nests of different shapes and sizes.

How can I tell if birds are nesting in my tree?

Look for nests, watch for birds gathering materials and displaying protective behavior, listen for demanding chicks, and watch for feathers or droppings falling from the tree.

What should I do if I find a nest in my tree?

Leave the nest alone, don't bring the tree inside, remove decorations carefully, provide supplementary food/water, monitor the nest, and plan to deter nesting next year.

Is it illegal to remove a nest?

Yes, it is illegal to remove or disturb active nests under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Fines up to $15,000 can be charged.