Name: Jesse B.
Status: other
Age: 40s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2000-2001
Question:
Which birds will abandon their eggs if they detect the
human scent on them?
Replies:
The notion that animals will abandon eggs or young if they have been handled
by humans is an old-wives-tale that actually serves a useful purpose. I
do not know of any evidence that birds or other animals react to the scent of
humans on eggs or young, but handling either often does disrupt the animals
from fear and disturbance, and may cause the adult to abandon the area.
However if it is necessary to move a nest to prevent its destruction that
can sometimes be done.
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