At first glance, a bird’s nest might seem like a perfect symbol of the natural world. But look a little closer, and you’ll find something far more unsettling: trash.
Zip ties, fishing line, even duct tape are now standard building materials for some birds, woven deep into nests where eggs are meant to hatch and chicks are meant to thrive but could become entangled or harmed instead.
We recently received dozens of displaced Double-crested Cormorant chicks and eggs into care. Along with them came several nests, generously given to us in hopes that we could repurpose them for the young birds. But when we examined the nests a little more closely, what we found was alarming.
Woven deep into the structure were bits of rope, zip ties, straps, plastic bags, wire, bungee cords, cables – and fishing line, one of the most dangerous materials a bird can encounter. Fishing lines and hooks are the leading cause of injury we see in our wildlife hospitals.
Some of the items we uncovered were surprising, even darkly humorous. A vintage phone cord – who’s still using those? A dog leash. Even duct tape, woven in like a misguided DIY project.
Protecting Birds Begins With Cleaner Communities
Cormorants aren’t the only birds collecting discarded materials, and it’s not just a local issue. A recent article in the New York Times spotlighted an American Coot’s nest located in the canals of central Amsterdam that contained over 600 artificial items, some dating back as far as 30 years.
Birds are incredibly resourceful as they adapt to a rapidly changing world. Unfortunately, they can’t tell what’s dangerous. A bit of plastic string looks just as useful as a blade of grass – until it causes irreversible harm.
We can do our part by keeping waste out of the environment and letting birds build their homes the way nature intended. A few tips:
- Decrease consumption of single-use plastics
- Pick up litter when you see it, even if it’s not yours – every bit helps!
- Fish responsibly, pick up used fishing wires and hooks.
- Host or join a clean-up event.
- Educate friends and family about how litter can harm wildlife.