Birds exhibit a surprising preference when it comes to their choice of cars for leaving droppings, according to a recent study conducted by Alan’s Factory Outlet, a Virginia-based company specializing in custom carports and metal buildings. The study surveyed 1,000 drivers across the United States, combining their experiences with established ornithological research to identify which vehicles are most frequently targeted.
The findings highlight that brown, red, and black cars attract the most bird droppings, while lighter colors such as white and silver fare better in avoiding this unpleasant fate. The study also revealed significant disparities among car brands, with Ram trucks emerging as the top target, followed closely by Jeep, Chevy, Nissan, and Dodge.
Driver Perceptions and Parking Habits
An intriguing aspect of the research involved the perceptions of drivers regarding bird attacks on their vehicles. Notably, 47 percent of Lexus owners, 39 percent of Tesla drivers, and 35 percent of Dodge owners believed that birds deliberately targeted their cars. Despite this widespread sentiment, only two of these brands appeared in the top ten most frequently pooped-on vehicles.
The study also examined the impact of parking locations on the likelihood of bird droppings. Birds tend to perch on power lines and tree branches above parked cars, leading to over half of respondents indicating that their current parking arrangements offered little protection against bird droppings. Nearly 40 percent admitted to walking additional distances to avoid high-risk areas known for bird activity.
Financial Implications of Bird Droppings
The financial burden of dealing with bird droppings is significant for many drivers. Approximately 60 percent of respondents reported paying for car washes specifically to remove bird excrement. Among those, Tesla and BMW owners indicated they spend over $500 annually on cleaning and potential repairs related to bird droppings. Alarmingly, 11 percent of participants reported experiencing paint damage from these incidents.
While the study does not provide groundbreaking insights into why birds prefer certain vehicles, it underscores a shared human experience: the ongoing challenge of protecting cars from avian droppings. Regardless of vehicle type, whether a luxury sports car or a more modest model, drivers across the board find themselves at the mercy of nature.
Ultimately, this research sheds light on a peculiar phenomenon that connects car owners with their feathered adversaries, prompting a reflection on how to combat this persistent issue. As humans and birds coexist, the task remains to outsmart our avian counterparts in this unending battle against droppings.