The short answer is that yes, mother birds can usually find their babies again if they are moved from the nest. However, there are some important factors to consider before moving baby birds.
How mother birds locate their babies
Mother birds have several techniques for finding their chicks if they get displaced from the nest:
- Recognizing their calls – Bird calls are unique, and mothers will learn to recognize their own babies’ vocalizations.
- Smell – Birds have a good sense of smell, despite a common myth to the contrary. Mothers may be able to sniff out their babies.
- Site memory – Many birds have excellent spatial memories and can remember where their nest was located.
- Visual recognition – Some bird species can recognize their chicks by sight.
With these techniques, mother birds are remarkably adept at locating their chicks if they get scattered from their nests.
How far away can the babies be moved?
There is no set distance for how far away a baby bird can be moved and still have its mother come to find it. It depends on factors like:
- Species of bird – Some birds have better homing abilities than others.
- Age of the chick – Very young chicks may be more vulnerable.
- Visibility of the location – The mother may struggle to find a hidden chick.
- Type of terrain – Barriers like buildings or trees can impede the search.
As a general guideline, smaller distances are better. Moving a chick 20-30 feet away to a visible location in open terrain is safer than moving it 100 feet into dense vegetation, for example.
When is it okay to move baby birds?
There are a few circumstances when it can be appropriate to move a baby bird:
- The nest is destroyed – If a nest collapses or is damaged, relocating the chicks nearby may be necessary.
- Risk from predators – If predators are approaching, temporarily moving chicks may save them.
- Human activity – Construction or tree removal may require temporarily moving nests.
However, there are also risks to moving baby birds, so it should only be done when absolutely needed for the chick’s safety.
Risks of moving baby birds
While mother birds often valiantly attempt to locate moved chicks, there are some risks:
- Chilling – Baby birds can quickly become chilled if left exposed without parental care.
- Overheating – Nestlings overheat rapidly in direct sunlight.
- Predators – Ground-dwelling chicks are vulnerable to predators.
- Abandonment – The parents may stop searching for a chick after a certain period of time.
- Feather oil – Moving chicks can rub off protective oils from their feathers.
To give moved chicks their best chance, relocate them as close to the original nest as possible in a sheltered location out of direct sun and protected from predators. Monitor them closely to see if the parents return.
Can human scent deter mother birds?
There is a belief that birds will abandon their chicks if human scent gets on them. However, research does not clearly support this idea:
- Many bird species have a poor sense of smell, so human scent may go unnoticed.
- Birds rely primarily on sight and sound, rather than smell, to identify their young.
- Parent birds are often not deterred by human handling of their babies.
So while minimizing contact is wise, a little human scent does not necessarily cause parent birds to reject their chicks.
What to do if a baby bird seems orphaned
If a baby bird is on the ground and calling with no parents responding after an hour or more, it likely needs help. Some options include:
- Contact a wildlife rehabilitator – They may be able to care for the chick.
- Return it to the nest – If you can safely replace it in the nest, the parents may resume feeding it.
- Create a substitute nest – A makeshift nest in the same tree may allow the parents to find it.
- Take it in – As a last resort, hand-feeding may be needed if parents do not return.
Be sure to provide warmth, safety, and frequent feedings if temporarily caring for an orphaned chick yourself while seeking an expert wildlife rehabilitator.
Key takeaways on moving baby birds
- Mother birds have specialized abilities to find their displaced chicks, but moving babies risks abandonment.
- Only move baby birds when absolutely needed for their safety.
- Relocate chicks as close to the original nest as possible.
- Minimize handling and monitor to see if parents return and resume care.
- Contact a wildlife rehabilitator if a chick seems orphaned and the parents do not come back.
Conclusion
Mother birds are remarkably devoted to locating and caring for their young. While they can frequently find displaced chicks, there are also risks involved any time nestlings are moved. Whenever possible, baby birds are best left in their original nest under the attentive care of their parents. But when moving chicks is necessary, be sure to minimize risks and closely monitor them to give parent birds the opportunity to resume nurturing their babies in their new temporary location.
