What is a bird nesting agreement?

A bird nesting agreement is a co-parenting arrangement used by separated or divorced parents where the children remain living in the family home, while each parent takes turns living there with the children.

Key features of a bird nesting agreement include the rota for who should stay at the family home and when, how long should the arrangement last, agreements as to financial responsibilities, rules on communication, and how any disagreements will be resolved.

Bird nesting is designed to prioritise the children’s needs after a separation, and maintain their stability, routine, and consistency while longer-term living arrangements are worked out.