Climate change threatens baby birds

EDS: Embargoed to 11:01 (AEDT) Wednesday February 3.

CANBERRA, Feb 3 AAP - Early birds don't always get the worm, warns new research into the links between climate change and premature bird egg development.

Macquarie University researchers say rising temperatures speed up hatching, potentially threatening chick survival.

Their study found native zebra finch eggs developed faster in heatwaves, hatching before parents were ready, making it hard for them to care for their chicks evenly.

Lead author Professor Simon Griffiths said though the shorter incubation period saved time and energy for parents, it was yet to be seen whether birds could adapt to the changes fast enough.

"It could play havoc with the family dynamic of these birds, creating situations where a single nest contains chicks of different ages, and even causing some embryos to die if the temperatures remain too hot for a long period," he said.