A baby swallow fell from the fire place. I touched the bird, will the momma bird care for her still?

Question

I put the baby just past the shoot .We had them last year and had willife come and get them . That was expensive,not again . This time they can stay there till they fly away.

Answer 1

just depends. sometimes they will. but I have also seen one not take care of the baby after we put her back in the nest she just kicked it out again.

Answer 2

Yes, she will still care for him.  The story about parents abandoning eggs, nests, or young because a human touched them and left their scent is not true.  It is an old wives tale that people have passed down through the ages.  There is absolutely no truth to it at all. Birds do have a sense of smell, but it is very poor.  Please read my profile

Answer 3

I'm not sure. I have a feeling it wont.......it makes me feel sad but maybe you should wait a while if the mother bird doesnt come back take it to a wildlife site.

Answer 4

yes it will, but make sure that the dad is out causeit will bite.

Answer 5

Yes, the parents will still care for it..birds have a poorly developed sense of smell and will not abandon a chick due to it being touched by a human.  This is just an old wives tale that a lot of people STILL believe.  Also, if these birds were nesting in your chimney last year..why have you not taken any measures to block this off so this could not happen again if you had to pay for someone to extract them last year.  Putting a screen that probably only cost a few dollars on the top of your chimney will prevent birds from gaining access again, and will save you a lot of money and worry as well.

Answer 6

Yes Birds do not have the sense of smell. That 's an old wives tale. Put the bird back when no birds are watching. the mother will not abandon it and take care of it normally/.