Who knew?

[Donna]

Q: A baby bird fell out of its nest. If I touch it will parents reject it? What can I do?

A: It's a common myth that touching nestlings will cause the parent birds to reject them. However, most birds do not have a well-developed sense of smell and thus touching their nestlings will not cause rejection because of human-associated odors. Sometimes nestlings are prematurely startled out of their nests before they are ready to leave the nest on their own accord. Once out, they cannot get back in by themselves and are easy prey for a predator. If you see nestlings that cannot flutter to safety, they are likely too young to be out of the nest.

You can try returning a straying nesting to its nest by simply picking it up and placing it back in, then leaving so as not to interfere with the parents. If the nestling appears reluctant to stay in the nest (which is often the case if it has been startled out), the following technique sometimes works: hold the nestling firmly but gently in your hand and rotate it rapidly around as if you were winding up for a baseball pitch. If you do this for several seconds, the nestling will become dizzy enough that it will stay in the nest while you retreat. If you have caused a whole brood to bolt prematurely you will need to catch them all and spin them all at once to return them to the nest. Yes, it's a funny image. Yes, we're serious. You do not have to explain your behavior to your neighbors.

The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture    

[jeanne]

Then, when the neighbors call 911 and I am brought to the psych center for a consult, I might see the Pefas

[Donna]

Then, when the neighbors call 911 and I am brought to the psych center for a consult, I might see the Pefas

  Totally jeanne!!

[Carol P.]

Then, when the neighbors call 911 and I am brought to the psych center for a consult, I might see the Pefas

 

[MAK]

Then, when the neighbors call 911 and I am brought to the psych center for a consult, I might see the Pefas

  Jeanne I think you missed your calling!