Why do birds poop on cars?
There are a few main reasons why birds tend to poop on cars:
Opportunistic feeding
Many birds like pigeons and seagulls are opportunistic feeders. They will look for easy sources of food wherever they can find it. Cars often have bits of food, crumbs, and insects on them that attract birds. When the birds land on the car to eat, they also end up pooping.
Tall perches
Birds like high perches to survey their surroundings and look for food. For birds like pigeons and seagulls in urban areas, cars often provide some of the highest perches around to get a good vantage point. When the birds land on the car, they end up leaving droppings behind.
Territorial marking
Some experts believe that birds also poop on cars as a way to mark their territory. The droppings let other birds know that they’ve claimed that area. Marking territory with poop is common behavior for many bird species.
How can I stop birds from pooping on my car?
Here are some tips to prevent bird poop from constantly messing up your car:
Park in covered spots
Parking in a garage or under a carport provides coverage so birds are less likely to be able to perch on your car. If covered parking isn’t available, parking under trees can also provide some protection.
Use bird deterrents
There are various bird deterrents available that can make your car less appealing:
- Bird spike strips – These are plastic spikes that attach to surfaces like railings, ledges, and roofs to prevent birds from landing.
- Repellent gels – These non-toxic gels applied to surfaces give off a mild shock to birds that perch there.
- Ultrasonic devices – These emit high-frequency sounds only heard by birds that scare them away.
Wash frequently
By keeping your car free of crumbs, food particles, and bugs, you eliminate things that attract birds to land on it in the first place. Wash and vacuum your car often.
Scare tactics
You can try using decoy predators like rubber snakes and owls placed on the car to frighten birds away. Reflective surfaces like old CDs hanging from the side mirrors may also help by startling birds when they land.
What kinds of birds poop on cars the most?
The bird species most notorious for pooping on cars include:
Bird | Reason for Pooping on Cars |
---|---|
Pigeons | Opportunistic feeding, territorial marking |
Seagulls | Opportunistic feeding, high perches |
Crows | Territorial marking |
Starlings | Opportunistic feeding, territorial marking |
Pigeons are the most common culprits in urban areas. Their large numbers and tendency to seek food from cars lead to lots of droppings. Seagulls are problematic in coastal regions where cars provide rare high perches. Territorial crows and large flocking starlings also frequently stain cars with their poop.
How can I clean bird poop off my car?
To safely remove bird droppings:
Remove quickly
Clean off fresh poop as soon as possible so it doesn’t have time to dry and bond to the paint. Hardened poop is harder to remove.
Spray with water
Use a hose or spray bottle filled with water to soften up the poop. Let it soak for several minutes.
Wipe away
Gently wipe the softened poop away with a soft sponge or microfiber cloth. Rubbing too roughly can scratch your paint.
Use soap if needed
For stubborn dried-on poop, use a mild soap and wash mitt to clean the area, then immediately rinse off the soap. Avoid dish soaps that may strip wax.
Dry and inspect
Dry the area with a towel and inspect to make sure no poop particles remain. Leaving any behind can lead to paint etching.
Clay bar periodically
Using a clay bar detailing product every few months removes embedded organic contaminants like bird droppings that washing misses.
Does bird poop damage car paint?
Bird droppings can damage your car’s paint if left on for an extended period:
- Acidic poop eats away paint – Bird poop has high levels of uric acid that can etch paint when left for days.
- Scratches from dried poop – Trying to remove dried, caked-on poop can scratch your clear coat.
- Poop particles bake into paint – Heat from the sun bakes poop particles into paint making them hard to remove.
- Polished spots – If poop removes wax, you’re left with polished spots that deteriorate faster.
To avoid permanent etching, pitting, discoloration, and clarity loss from bird droppings, wash your car frequently and immediately clean any new poop.
Conclusion
Birds tend to poop on cars because they provide food, high perches, and places to mark territory. To reduce bird droppings on your car, park in covered spots, use deterrents, wash frequently, and clean poop quickly before it damages your paint. With some diligence, you can minimize the mess birds leave behind on your ride.