Birds’ nests account for about $1.2 million in tractor fire claims each year, according to rural insurer FMG, which is urging farmers and machinery operators to check under the bonnet before starting work.
FMG said the claims peak during the starling breeding season, which typically runs from September through to December. Over the past three years, it received more than 100 tractor fire claims linked to bird nests, accounting for 32% of all tractor fire claims in that period.
The insurer’s Stop & Pop campaign asks operators to stop, open the bonnet and check for nests before work begins.
“Starlings are incredibly resourceful when it comes to finding a place to nest. They can squeeze into surprisingly small spaces and build a nest much faster than people expect. With dry grass readily available on farm, a bird can build a nest in the time it takes you to stop for smoko or have a cup of tea,” Abby France, FMG’s loss prevention manager, said.
France said the effects reach beyond the machine itself: “Tractor fires can be devastating. Not only can you lose a valuable piece of machinery, but the disruption can have a significant impact on day-to-day farm operations, especially as we head into bailage and silage season. And it’s not just tractors. We’ve seen nests cause fires in quad bikes, side-by-sides, cars, utes and other machinery as well.”
The NZ Herald’s The Country reported in February 2025 that FMG paid 39 tractor fire claims, costing $1.3 million, from January to June 2024, and 31 of them were total losses. Those figures cover tractor fires from all causes, not only nests.
In an earlier FMG release, the insurer put nest-related tractor fire claims at around $700,000 a year, with 142 claims over three years, or 38% of tractor fire claims.
The advice gives brokers with rural clients loss-prevention points to raise ahead of bailage and silage season. FMG encourages farmers and operators to make checking under the bonnet part of their daily routine. France said: “Our long-running Stop & Pop campaign is a simple reminder to stop, pop the bonnet and check for nests before you start work. It’s a quick check that can prevent a costly and potentially dangerous fire.”
She said leaving the bonnet up when machinery is parked can also help discourage nesting. FMG provides free Stop & Pop stickers.
On fire protection, France said: “We also recommend fitting tractors and other machinery with a suitable, easily accessible fire extinguisher and making sure operators know how to use it. Tractor fires can spread quickly and rural fire crews aren’t always able to reach a property before significant damage has occurred. A fire extinguisher may give you the best chance of stopping a small fire before it gets out of control, but always put your safety first.”
She added a reminder about access: “And while on the topic of rural fire crews, make sure you clear back overgrown trees around your driveway. A standard fire appliance needs 4 metre clearance to access your property. You don’t want them stuck only a few hundred metres from being able to fight your fire.”
Fire and Emergency New Zealand also advises that driveways be at least 4 m by 4 m for its appliances. FMG and Fire and Emergency have also produced an on-farm firefighting water resource that includes advice on access for fire appliances.
