A pair of Robins built a nest on a neighbors gutter downspout. I've been observing this pair since they started building the nest. The neighbor was aware of this nest at least two weeks ago when I saw him looking at it. Recently, the pairs behavior changed as the eggs hatched. Today the nest is gone. Removed by the neighbor. As of right now, it is in trash bags along with grass clippings and the now perished hatchlings. Are nesting birds not protected in Illinois? I am furious that he waited until the birds hatched before removing the nest.

It was illegal for him to remove the nest and kill the hatchlings. American robins are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act as well as the Illinois Wildlife Code. These laws also provide protection for nests, eggs, and young birds of most bird species.