Which cars are most likely to get bird droppings on them?

Birds may be attracted to certain types of vehicles. Photo: Shutterstock .

Due to evolution and survival, birds excrete both urine and feces simultaneously through a single organ called the cloaca. Additionally, certain car colors or driver habits make it easier for birds to defecate on them.

Earlier this month, Alan's Factory Outlet released its "Bird Droppings Report," a survey of 1,000 drivers in the U.S. about their experiences with bird droppings on their cars. The report, combined with ornithological studies, yielded a series of surprising conclusions about the link between bird digestive activity and the appearance of vehicles.

In general, brown, red, and black vehicles are the most targeted by birds. Brighter colors like white or silver tend to be less prone to bird strikes. In terms of brand, Ram trucks are the most frequently targeted, followed by Jeep, Chevrolet, Nissan, and Dodge.

The study also raised several questions about drivers' real-world experiences dealing with this issue. Specifically, 58% of participants reported that their car had been subjected to bird droppings more than once in a single day, and 11% said this had damaged the paintwork.

Approximately 30% of respondents believe that birds have deliberately targeted their vehicles, particularly Lexus (47%), Tesla (39%), and Dodge (35%) owners. For comparison, Dodge and Tesla ranked 5th and 7th, respectively, on the list of the 10 most vulnerable brands to bird strikes (Lexus was not included).

The colors and brands of the car are easily stained by bird droppings. Photo: Alan's Factory Outlet.

Another interesting finding shows that bird droppings often disrupt drivers' daily activities. Specifically, 6% of participants canceled or postponed plans just to deal with their car being covered in droppings. Meanwhile, 14% reported being hit by bird droppings while getting in or out of their car.

Dealing with bird droppings can also become a financial concern. 57% admitted to paying for car washes just to clean up bird droppings, and 39% said it was the reason they wash their cars multiple times a month.

About a quarter of respondents said they spend more than $500 a year on “car washes and repairs related to bird droppings.” For Tesla and BMW owners, the cost of vehicle maintenance due to bird droppings often exceeds $500 per year.

Concerns about bird droppings have also changed drivers' habits. More than half of those surveyed said they were worried their current parking spaces weren't safe enough to avoid droppings. Of those, 38% said they were willing to walk an extra block or two just to avoid a "bird-bombing zone."

The survey revealed several reasons why birds are attracted to certain types of vehicles. Birds living in urban areas often prefer to perch on trees, power lines, or traffic signs because these locations offer "safety and good visibility." Therefore, vehicles parked in these locations are within their sight.

However, birds' eyes have an additional type of cone cell that allows them to detect ultraviolet light, causing them to see colors differently than humans. Therefore, it is very likely that brown, red, and black colors appear more attractive to birds. This trend has been previously noted by ornithologists.

"If you've ever felt like your car is a magnet for bird droppings, you're not imagining it," the report states. Science has shown that there are many other reasons behind this phenomenon.