A car dealership in Olathe, Kansas, reported a rather odd observation to local rehabilitation facility Operation Wildlife: a mother robin had laid four eggs on a Ford F-250 truck’s wheel.
An Olatha Ford Lincoln employee had noticed the eggs, which ended up hatching shortly after their discovery. Robins are federally protected animals, and as a result, the dealership is unable to move the car or the nest.
What makes this situation even more interesting is that Olathe Ford Lincoln itself posted on Facebook that the truck had actually been sold. It appears that the customer has been cooperative and understanding of the situation.
Both the employees and the truck’s owner will need to wait until the birds are old enough to leave the nest before anyone is able to move the vehicle.
Robin’s Nest in a Truck Wheel
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Despite it being an odd occurrence that a robin would decide to build their nest on top of a car tire, the dealership claims that this isn’t the first time something of this nature has happened.
According to Marketing Manager Sammi Dodson, there have been cats found inside the trucks before. In fact, an employee took home one of the cats that they’d found in the past.
She even claims that on the same day as the robin’s nest incident, a customer came in to get an oil change, and when the employee popped open the hood, there was a mother possum with approximately seven babies on her.
Robins Are Federally Protected, Employees Can’t Move Them
According to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, birds are federally protected, meaning that it is illegal to harm, kill, possess parts, or destroy their nests. Otherwise, legal penalties and large fines could be applied.
In the video that accompanies the above post, you can see that the birds have just hatched. Robins can leave their nest approximately two weeks after they’ve hatched.
The dealership intends to leave the nest alone until the birds naturally abandon it. In a statement made by the Olathe Ford Lincoln dealership, it was written, “Because robins and their active nests are federally protected, we legally cannot relocate the nest at this stage and, truthfully, our team has become a little too invested in these babies to rush them out now.”
Reactions to Bird’s Nest on F-250 Tire
Commenters in the replies below shared their opinions on the situation, with many commending the mother bird for building such a secure home. One person wrote, “Smart birds, building a nest that’s protected from the weather.”
Other comments expressed worry for their safety, with one person writing, “Those robins Built Ford Tough. Being so close to the ground, hopefully a cat or coon doesn’t find them.”
Olathe Ford Lincoln offered their thanks to Operation Wildlife, who helped them along with the next steps, saying, “Moments like this remind us why we truly have the best customers around. Thank you for showing so much kindness, patience, and compassion for this little bird family. 💙 Thank you, Operation Wildlife, for your guidance!”