Posted by Lori Luis on April 21, 2006

Q: I have a little brown bird that has made a nest with two eggs in a wreath hanging on my front door. Should I leave it there, and how long until they hatch and able to fly away? It is basically at a safe place because I don't get much company but if someone comes to my house I don't want to open the front door just incase the nest moves or when the babies come.

Habitat: suburban/yard

State: California

Habitat: suburban/yard

A: Sure, I'd leave it there. With only two eggs, your visitor is probably still going to lay more eggs. If I were you, I'd put a note on the door with large letters that tells people that there is a nest that shouldn't be disturbed - please come around to the side door!

Wrens commonly find places like your wreath so you might want to look up this group of small birds to see which one it is. Also, could be a House Sparrow or House Finch. Egg hatching depends on the kind of bird but within 14-16 days after incubation has started, you can watch to see if they've hatched. Actually, when they do hatch, you'll notice much more activity at the nest as the parents begin bringing food to the young. You have a great opportunity to see a very special part of the natural world so I hope you can take advantage of watching it all unfold.

John Wiessinger ( April 21, 2006)