What can we do about these birds building nests on the house?

Question

We live in the East Mountains in New Mexico. A flock of small birds have appeared. They have short square tails and a little bit of white on their crown. They are sticking mud under the enclosed eaves and seem to be beginning to make a nest. Like a mud dopper wasp. Don't think this is good for our stucco walls. What are they? And should we try to get rid of them. And how do we do it? We have grey water drainage from the house, and this is where they are mixing their mud.

Help!

Answer 1

These sound like house martins. They are really cute little things that won't harm your house and they eat loads of flies and insects.

If you really can't tolerate them then try hanging up bits of plastic or paper that flaps about near the nests. Pieces about 10 centimetres square will do fine. That will probably dissuade them.