How to Manage Bird Nests in Interior Courtyards

In busy, urban environments courtyards are little slices of sanctuary. Amid the noise and speed of concrete jungles, enclosed courtyards are havens of nature for city-dwellers — and birds agree.

With nesting season upon us, you may notice an uptick in ducks and geese settling into the nooks and crannies of courtyards connected to your office, apartment or school. Walled off from potential predators like coyotes, blocked from the wind, and quiet, courtyards are a hot commodity for birds ready to hunker down and sit on their eggs.

Nesting Geese & Ducks: Why They Make Poor Courtyard Tenants

Nesting birds are notoriously unfriendly neighbors. Geese, in particular, become territorial and aggressive when uninvited guests enter their nesting area.

When geese select courtyards as their nesting spot, humans who innocently enter – to take a break or eat their lunch – are viewed as trespassers and are often subjected to hissing and charging.

When ducklings or goslings hatch, new issues arise. An enclosed courtyard’s walls, which at first offered protection, become barriers that prevent the family from leaving to find adequate food and water. Once trapped, hatchlings can succumb to exhaustion, dehydration and starvation.

Well-meaning but unskilled humans attempting to lead babies towards food and water can confuse and provoke the parents. Worse yet, “rescue operations” that end near busy streets or in parking lots can sometimes lead the family into even greater danger.

Expert Assistance Can Help You Evict Birds from Courtyards

Luckily, there are several ways to safely and humanely address birds who nest in courtyards.

As always, the best practice is to manage eggs before they hatch, if possible. Removing the nest while eggs are undeveloped is a humane way to encourage parents to choose another place to nest. Once the eggs are gone, parents no longer have reason to be aggressive to nearby humans.

If nests are not removed before chicks hatch and families get trapped, experts – like the Wild Goose Chase team – can provide professional rescue services and guide the birds to a safe location.

The safest way to move a family out of a courtyard is by gathering the goslings in an open air container and having the parents follow

As a longer-term solution, discreet grid systems can be installed over courtyards. Grids prevent ducks and geese from accessing courtyards to nest but do not keep other birds or people from enjoying the space.

A grid system over an interior courtyard to prevent waterfowl nesting

The Wild Goose Chase team has extensive experience controlling, deterring and removing a wide range of nuisance birds from courtyards and beyond. If you’ve noticed ducks and geese loitering in or around your courtyard in recent weeks, act quickly to avoid bird and human conflicts and prevent hatchlings from getting trapped.

Contact us to learn about our nest removal and management services