Why is bird poop white?

 


Have you ever wonder why bird poop is white? Actually, the white part is not poop but pee. Unlike human, birds do not have separate exits for solid and liquid waste. Both urine and feces are eliminated through an organ called cloaca. Our body excretes urea in the form of urine, while birds convert nitrogenous waste into uric acid. The benefit of peeing uric acid instead of urine is that it minimizes water loss. However, that is also why bird droppings are white and sticky! Have you been the unlucky one who got bird droppings on the windshield of your car? A study in England found that red cars are more likely to be the targets of bird poop and green cars are less favourable. Maybe the easiest way to avoid it is not to park under a big tree!

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