✗ The myth everyone repeats
If you touch a baby bird or nest, the parent birds will reject it because they smell human on it.
✓ What is actually true
Most birds have a poor sense of smell. Parent birds typically recognise their young by sight and sound, not scent. Studies show that nestlings handled by humans are usually accepted back by parents. However, it's still better not to touch nests as it can cause stress and parasitic exposure, just not for the reason most people believe.
Reception
The receipts 2 sources
- Bird Sense of Smell - Audubon SocietyPRIMARY
- Snopes: Baby Bird RejectionREFERENCE