If you pick up a baby bird and put it down again will the mother still feed or abandon because she smells that has been picked up?

It's a natural myth that baby birds will be rejected if they are picked up by humans. In fact, parent birds have a poor sense of smell and cannot tell the difference between their own young and human fingers or scents.

It's generally recommended to avoid handling baby birds, but if there's a need to safely transport them, it is perfectly fine to do so. Here are a few points to keep in mind when handling baby birds:

- Wear gloves to protect the baby bird from any bacteria or oils on your skin.

- Be gentle and avoid squeezing the baby bird too tightly.

- Handle the baby bird for as little time as possible, and place it back in its nest promptly.

- If the baby bird is injured or in danger, contact a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately.