Can mother birds move their babies?
Mother birds may move their babies if reasonable to do so. This can happen when predators are near and/or the nest is compromised.
In some cases, mother birds may leave the babies and never come back. This is possible if any type of relocation is deemed impossible in their eyes.
The reasons a mother bird may move the babies includes:
- Potential Predator in the Area
- Broken Nest
- Lack of Food Nearby
These are just some reasons that a mother bird may decide to move her babies from one spot to another. It’s a rare occurrence and it’s not something a person should expect.
In birdcages, most mothers will stick to a nesting box when it comes to giving birth.
This is why it’s best to prepare the birdcage, so the mother bird doesn’t have to lay the eggs at the bottom where they are left exposed. In most cases, the babies won’t be moved around the cage, but you will have to care for them separately.
Here is a look at answering the question “Can mother birds move their babies?” along with what a bird owner should do when it comes to a mother bird inside a birdcage.
Best Nesting Box for Mother Birds (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
- QUALITY MATERIALS - This nesting box is made of high density, impact-resistant polyethylene that will not rust, rot, or...
- EASY-TO-CLEAN - This smooth plastic surface is easy to keep clean and does not get as cold as metal, making it more...
- INCLUDES PERCH - This plastic nesting unit features an entrance perch that gives hens a place to land before entering the...
Last update on 2023-05-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Tips on Helping a Mother Bird and Her Babies
Tip #1: Buy a Nesting Box
A nesting box is one of those things that should be invested into.
Mothers will prefer resting the eggs in a nesting box because it’s safer and works well with their natural instinct. There’s a reason mother birds don’t leave eggs out in the open because it’s unsafe and compromises their ability to hatch.
So, what do you do?
You set up a high-quality nesting box such as the one listed above. The idea is to make sure your mother bird has enough space to hatch the eggs and feel good about caring for the babies.
Just letting the mother bird lay eggs at the bottom of the cage is wrong.
It’s not only bad for the eggs, but it’s also going to make the parents unhappy. You have to take the time to invest in a high-quality nesting box as soon as possible.
This will also make it less likely for the mother bird to keep moving her babies around the cage unnecessarily.
Tip #2: Keep the Birdcage Warm
When asking “Can mother birds move their babies?” it’s also important to think about temperature.
Antsy mother birds tend to become worried when the temperature drops too much. It’s unnatural and something they don’t want to deal with when caring for a baby bird.
This is why some mother birds will leave their babies out in the wild. If the temperature drops dramatically, it’s difficult to keep the baby birds healthy.
It’s best to keep the birdcage in a well-insulated and well-maintained room.
This is going to ensure the temperature doesn’t fluctuate too much. You also don’t want to increase the heat near the birdcage to the point it’s uncomfortable.
It’s about finding that sweet spot so the baby birds can grow easily.
Tip #3: Use a Birdcage Cover at Night
How are you covering the birdcage at night?
When asking questions such as “Can mother birds move their babies?” you have to think about protecting the mother bird at all costs.
This means taking the time to set up a birdcage cover.
If the nest is outside, you want to make sure to protect the area around the nest. This will ensure the baby birds aren’t compromised at any stage of their development and can flourish.
Tip #4: Increase the Mother’s Food Intake
How much food is the mother bird eating?
You want to make it as easy as possible for the mother bird to care for her young. Whether this is inside with a birdcage or outside in a nest, you should provide a good amount of food to the mother bird.
This will allow her to feed her young and stay healthy at the same time without getting hunted.
This is one of those things that have to be on the top of your mind.
If the mother bird isn’t getting enough food, she may decide to leave her babies behind. It becomes a survival element that has to be kept in mind by the mother.
Final Thoughts
Can mother birds move their babies?
Mother birds will move their babies if it is reasonable to do so. If not, the mother bird is going to prefer to keep the nest where it is and protect the babies from the conditions or predators.
This is why seeing a mother bird move her babies is unusual.
Most mother birds will either leave the nest forever and/or fight to keep it where it is.
It is even more rare to see this type of behavior inside a closed environment such as a large birdcage. If this happens, it might have more to do with the living conditions and/or how the mother bird feels about other birds in the cage.
Here is more on how to care for a mother bird and her babies – finding out if a baby bird is disabled, best nesting box for birds, how to help a scared bird, giving celery to a bird, and helping birds breed with a nesting box.