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The Conversation
The Conversation
Bethany Kiss, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne

Birds are building nests with our rubbish. Can we offer them something better?

Ursula Dutkiewicz for Federation University Australia's Litter Bird-En project, CC BY-NC

It’s spring, and Australian birds are building their nests. But with what? Alongside grass and twigs, birds are collecting our rubbish. In 2023, a global study found litter in the nests of 176 different bird species, with common culprits including cigarette butts, plastic bags and fishing nets.

The risks these materials pose for birds – and particularly chicks – include choking, poisoning and entanglement.

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