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Nesting FAQs By Bill Thompson, III Editor | Bird Watcher’s Digest
Whether you’ve purposely set up a series of nest boxes or just discovered an unexpected bird nest in the bushes in your backyard, you’re likely to have a few questions. Nesting birds are exciting but also inherently vulnerable, and it’s only natural to want to make sure you’re doing the right things to facilitate the birds’ success. Below are answers to a few of the common questions and concerns that come up in spring when nesting birds are busiest!
Q: If you touch a baby bird that has fallen from its nest, will the parents detect your scent and abandon it?
A: No, most birds do not have a very well-developed sense of smell. However, most mammalian predators (skunks, foxes, raccoons, weasels, etc.) do have a good sense of smell and may follow your scent trail to a bird’s nest. If you are going to handle a baby bird be sure to place it out of harm’s way, back in the nest, or in an open-topped cardboard box propped in a tree. However, many bird species are equipped to survive outside the nest at a very young age. These species include many shorebirds, gamebirds, and birds such as robins and wrens.
Tags: birdhouses, birds, nesting boxes