Fines For Disturbing Bird Nests In Louisiana

(KHLA - Lake Charles, Louisiana) - There are over 470 species of birds in the Bayou State; so, whether you like birds or not they're hard to avoid and disturbing their nests can lead to big fines. We have all the details.

For Louisiana residents this can be a nuisance, because birds like to build their nests on structures they deem to be safe for their young. In some instances, they can be the exterior of someone's home.

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In fact, you don't have to remove a bird's nest to get fined, it's as small as disturbing the nest in Louisiana. The best advice we can give, is just to leave it alone and if the birds are in danger or you really want it moved, call Animal Control and have the proper authorities handle the situation so you're legally in the clear.

In Louisiana, messing around with migratory birds and their nests can carrying fines up to $500 per bird. But that's not that bad when you figure in federal fines as well. That's right, after Baton Rouge sends you a fine you might be hearing from the U.S. Fisheries & Wildlife Department too.

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The federal government leaves even larger fines for disturbing migratory bird nests. The majority of native bird species, their eggs, and their nests are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA); infractions can result in fines of up to $15,000 and/or jail time of up to six months.