Scientists sounded the alarm that birds building their nests using rubbish like cigarette butts, plastic bags, and fishing nets risk the safety of their chicks, The Guardian reported.

The news website cited research as saying that 176 bird species have been discovered nesting alongside human trash, including objects that are harmful to them and their chicks.

Published on Monday by a group of European scientists, the study examined over 35,000 nests and discovered that birds utilized human-made objects in nests on all continents except Antarctica.

Zuzanna Jagiello, an ornithologist at the University of Warsaw and lead author of the study, said that "a wide variety of bird species included anthropogenic materials into their nests."

"This is worrying because it is becoming increasingly apparent that such materials can harm nestlings and even adult birds," she pointed out, as cited quoted by The Guardian.

While similar conduct has been recorded as early as the 1830s, the study highlighted that this phenomenon had "undoubtedly" risen in recent years.

The scientists explained how human trash in birds' nests puts them at risk. For example, ropes twist around birds; litter subjects offspring to poisons; vivid colors entice predators who steal eggs; and chicks choke on items they confuse for food.

Nonetheless, the study found that some of the trash may benefit birds. Nicotine and other substances found in cigarette butts can help fight blood-sucking parasites; plastic sheets can provide chicks with warmth; and tougher materials can help strengthen nests.

On his part, Jim Reynolds, an ornithologist at the University of Birmingham and co-author of the study, considered that it is too early to tell what effect human-made nesting materials have on bird species.

"There could be some winners and losers," he indicated.

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