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	Birds Nesting in Hanging Plants

What to do if you have a bird nesting in a hanging plant.

It is very common for birds to nest in hanging plants or wreaths left up on the house or door. It is usually the House Finch that does this. They are similar to the Purple Finch and difficult to tell apart, but Purple Finches do not nest in this kind of situation. House Finches are western birds that were introduced in the east in the 1940s by caged bird dealers. They have since spread and become very common in urban and suburban areas. The male has a red breast and red on his head while the female is a dull brown with streaks on her breast.

House finches begin nesting in late April and early May and seem to prefer old Christmas wreaths, hanging plants, and outdoor lights in this part of the country. The nest is built by the female. When it is finished she will lay one egg a day until she has 3 to 6 eggs in the nest. Then she starts incubating and the male will feed her while she sits on the nest.

The eggs hatch in 12 to 14 days and both parents begin feeding the young. The young will leave the nest after 14 to 16 days. All the young leave the nest on the same day and will not return, although the adults continue to feed them. The female may use the same nest again for a second brood which she will start very soon after the young of the first brood have left the nest.

House Finches can tolerate some disturbance from people passing by, especially if it is brief and at regular times. The female will fly off but she will quickly return. Plants can sometimes be watered even with the nest in it if you can water from the bottom, or water from the top at the edge of the pot with just a small amount each day that will not soak through to the nest cup. It is very difficult to move a nest once it has been made and it is best to just wait out the first brood and then take down the nest as soon as the young leave. If you must move the nest, do it gradually, no more than a few feet each day. If the nest is moved a greater distance, the adults usually do not understand and will not follow it. They are likely to abandon it when they find it is not in its expected location.

Be aware of the potential fire hazard from a nest in an outdoor light. You can try to keep the birds from building a nest by faithfully removing their nesting materials at least once a day until they get discouraged and give up. You must be persistent. Another option is to block their access to the light, perhaps with small mesh chicken wire that they cannot get through.

House Finch nests can present a great opportunity to watch birds rearing their young up close. We hope your nest brings you enjoyment.