The Pros and Cons of Man-made Materials in Bird Nests
A study has found that 176 bird species worldwide incorporate a variety of man-made materials, such as plastic and fishing nets, into their nests. While some of these materials can provide benefits, such as repelling parasites or providing structural support and insulation, they can also pose risks to birds. Birds can become entangled or ingest harmful materials, and the inclusion of colorful materials can attract predators to nests. The researchers emphasize the need to reduce the amount of plastic and other anthropogenic materials that are discarded to protect bird populations.