A recent study by Leo Uesaka and his team has revealed that streaked shearwaters, a type of seabird found in East Asian waters, engage in a unique bathroom ritual. The birds consistently release their droppings at regular intervals, every 4 to 10 minutes, while airborne. This behavior is not limited to land; even when the birds are in the water, they will take to the air if necessary to “drop feces.”
The initial purpose of the study was to investigate how shearwaters use their legs during direct takeoffs from the sea surface, but the sheer frequency of poop sightings led researchers to explore the birds’ bathroom habits. Tracking individual shearwaters with rear-facing video cameras on their bellies provided an unprecedented view into seabird excretion behavior at sea.
The study’s findings suggest that other seabirds with similar flight patterns may exhibit this same tendency, raising questions about why seabirds behave in this way. However, researchers have discovered that seabird droppings are unusually rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, which could be unintentionally fertilizing coastal waters. Additionally, the transmission of avian influenza through feces is a concern, highlighting the importance of further investigation into this phenomenon.
As Uesaka noted, “Bird droppings may seem unpleasant,” but they can also provide valuable insights into animal life. By engaging with science, we can appreciate the vital role that poop plays in supporting ecosystems and our natural world.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/scientists-confirm-what-every-beachgoer-secretly-fears-about-seabirds-2000643706