Darker and larger cars, such as pick-up vans, seem to be birds’ favorite targets when they want to leave a “gift”.
New research suggests that birds may even have a distinct preference when it comes to the cars in which they leave their feces — with some car brands and colors much more likely to be targeted than others.
led by Alan’s Factory Outlet, an American company specializing in garages and metal carports, found that brown cars and Ram vans are at the top of the list of victims of bird waste.
The company interviewed 1,000 vehicle owners and compared their responses to existing research into bird behavior to uncover patterns behind one of drivers’ biggest annoyances.
The results suggest that color may play a key role. The vehicles brown, red and black were affected more frequently, while lighter tones, such as white, silver and gray, were less affected. The company theorized that birds’ unique color vision — which includes the ability to detect ultraviolet (UV) light — could make darker or brighter cars stand out more in their environment.
“This keen vision makes certain car colors look more attractivemaking them prime targets,” the report noted. Shiny surfaces and mirrors can also confuse birds, especially during mating season, when they may mistake their reflection for that of a rival and attack it repeatedly.
However, the study authors acknowledged a limitation: Because the data was self-reported, droppings in lighter-colored cars could have gone unnoticed or been underreported.
In relation to vehicle brands, the Ram, a Jeep e a Chevrolet were the hardest hit, followed by Nissan, Dodge and Kia. Larger vehicles, such as pick-up vans, are particularly vulnerable, probably because they offer a greater surface area, explains .
The phenomenon is more than just an inconvenience, it is also expensive. According to the study, nearly one in four Americans spendsmore than 500 dollars per year in cleaning or repairing paint damage caused by bird droppings, while 10% report permanent deterioration of the paint.
The inconvenience is widespread: 58% of respondents said their car was hit several times in a single day and 29% actually believed that the birds were “persecuting” them personally. Among those who felt most victimized, Lexus drivers (47%) topped the list, followed by Tesla (39%) and Dodge (35%) owners.
Although the idea of “vengeful” birds While it may seem absurd, research shows that some species, including crows and pigeons, can remember human faces for years and distinguish between friendly and hostile individuals.
Whether this memory extends to your favorite parking spots remains a mystery, but one thing is certain: For car owners, investing in a covered garage may be the smartest defense. If you don’t have access to a garage, but it’s worth, just in case, to always be nice to the birds.
