A robin's nest built on the tyre of a Ford F-250 has prevented a Kansas dealership from delivering the vehicle to its new owner, thanks to a century-old US wildlife protection law.
Staff at Olathe Ford Lincoln in Olathe, Kansas, discovered a robin constructing a nest on the truck's tyre a few weeks ago. The bird laid four blue eggs, which have since hatched, and the mother is now caring for the chicks, according to a Facebook post by the dealership on 14 May.
The Ford F-250 had been sold, but the customer cannot take possession until the birds leave the nest. The robin and its eggs are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which prohibits disturbing active nests.
In a Facebook post, the dealership thanked its 'incredibly kind and understanding customers' for their patience. The dealership also sought guidance from Operation Wildlife, a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation facility in Kansas.
As the story gained attention online, employees named the baby birds Lugnut, Turbo, Diesel and Axel. A video posted by the dealership showed the hatchlings and included a humorous subtitle: 'We were looking for a dealership with strong values and minimal hawk traffic.'
Local news outlet KMBC reported that the dealership has previously found other animals, such as cats and opossums, living in its vehicles.
