Many folks may be surprised to find out that under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) — a federal law — and Iowa state laws, it is illegal to:
– Take, kill, possess, transport, or sell migratory birds, their eggs, or their nests without a proper permit.
– Destroy a nest that contains eggs or chicks.
– Possess a nest found on the ground or removed from a tree, unless you have a permit.
This means that removing or disturbing active bird nests is prohibited. If you find a nest in or around your property, please leave it alone — even if it’s in an inconvenient location. The birds will typically leave once their young have fledged, and the nest is no longer in use. When the nests are empty, typically toward the end of summer, we can reassess and look into safe, legal removal if needed.