Safety concerns for chicks grow as birds build nests with rubbish, study shows

White stork nest in Spain. Scientists found cardboard, foil and plastic string in birds’ nests. Photograph: Zuzanna Jagiełło, University of Warsaw.

Birds build nests with rubbish like cigarette butts, plastic bags and fishing nets, scientists say, raising fears for the safety of their chicks.

Research shows 176 bird species have been found to build nests with human litter, including items that hurt them and their offspring.