The Bird Is the Word
Like most everything about wildlife, this issue of birds forsaking their babies is complicated. For starters, not all species react the same when their nests are disturbed. Predatory birds with long lifespans, such as hawks, may be more sensitive about a nest than small birds with short lifespans, which may be more alert to potential predators and willing to give up their temporary homes.
Pass the Smell Test
Another part of the abandonment myth is that birds can smell if a human has touched their nests or their babies. You have nothing to worry about here; birds don’t have much of a sense of smell. Outside of scavengers such as turkey vultures, most birds would not be able to detect any changes based on olfactory signs alone. It’s more about a change in the nest itself rather than the human scent.Robbing the Cradle
Mother birds are more nurturing than they often get credit for, but like most animals, they are most concerned with survival, not only their own but also their little ones'. If a mother bird has just laid her eggs, she may be more likely to abandon the nest when threatened, because she assumes that a predator will return and finish the job. However, if she has hatchlings or fledglings that she is feeding or teaching, she has a different level of attachment. In that case, a mother bird is often quite protective and may try to find a nest if it is moved or move her babies to a safer location when the coast is clear.Professional Moving Company
