Animals don’t live in the same place forever. In some cases moving is necessary for the survival of the animal, in addition moving will give the animal family more access to the resources they need to truly live a healthy and fulfilled life. It’s easy to imagine bigger animals doing this for their tiny babies but what about small animals like birds. Can birds move their babies?

Some birds can move their babies. Not all birds can move their babies because not all have powerful enough muscles in their bodies to do so. Birds that are able to move their babies include coots, grebes and loons which transport babies on their backs. Smaller birds like sparrows, bluebirds, robins, pigeons and parrots don’t

Can birds move their babies?

Humans move their babies all the time. Dogs, cats, monkeys, and other animals also move their young. But can the same be said of birds in general?

Studies have shown that some bird species can move their babies from one location to another to get them away from predators or transport them to a new nest. These birds can perform this incredible feat thanks to their powerful body muscles.

Loons, coots, grebes, and a few other water birds carry their young on their backs while they swim. The chicks of grebes hatch in a nest of water weeds – as soon as the newly hatched babies dry, they instinctively jump onto the back of their mothers and are moved from place to place until they are old enough.

There are no records that show that pigeons, doves, sparrows, bluebirds, parrots, robins, and other similar birds move their babies.

Can birds move their nest?

Most birds do not have the strength to move their nest, especially if it contains eggs or babies. If they decide to change where they stay because of a predator’s presence or activities, they abandon the nest entirely and build a new nest in another location.

What happens if you disturb a bird’s nest?

When a bird’s nest gets disturbed, the bird parents usually abandon the site, even if there are eggs or babies in the nest – this is why experts advise that humans do not disturb or get too close to a bird’s nest.

If you accidentally disturb a bird’s nest, it is vital to leave the place before the bird parent returns and sees you. If you notice that a bird is nesting in your garden or close to where you live, be kind enough to avoid the area until you are sure the babies in the nest are old enough to survive without their mother.

Do birds abandon their babies if humans touch them?

While most people say it’s OK to touch a bird’s baby, others advise humans not to engage in such acts. Those who warn against touching a bird’s baby claim that bird parents will reject any chick touched by humans.

The other folks argue that most birds have an inferior sense of smell and won’t know if humans touched their babies while they were away. Some people also say that a bird that sees you placing its fallen baby bird back in its nest will not abandon it.

The fact remains that wild birds see humans as predators, even when we try to be friendly and caring to them. If a bird discovers that humans know where its nest is located, it will most certainly abandon the nest housing its babies or eggs.

What to do with baby birds that fall out of the nest?

If you find a baby bird on the ground, you should first find out if the chick is helpless and in need of assistance. Songbird fledgelings, for example, leave their nest a few days before they can fly. You might see them on the ground or out of the nest, but that is not to say they need your help.

Conclusion

In conclusion, some birds can move their babies, the birds that are able to move their babies are larger birds that have more powerful muscles to be able to carry the babies. Smaller birds aren’t able to move their babies. Most birds aren’t able to move their nests either. It is not advised that you touch or move a birds nest, its babies or eggs.

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other bird related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Can birds eat hemp seeds? Do birds have friends? How do birds show affection to humans? How to know if a bird egg is alive? What do birds do with unhatched eggs? Do penguins bury their dead?