A recent survey by Virginia-based Alan’s Factory Outlet has shed light on which cars are most likely to be targeted by birds. The «Bird Dropping Report,» based on responses from 1,000 American drivers and ornithological research, found that car colour and parking habits may influence how often vehicles get splattered.
According to the findings, brown, red, and black cars are the most frequent victims, while lighter colours like white and silver tend to be spared. Among vehicle brands, Ram trucks were the most affected, followed by Jeep, Chevrolet, Nissan, and Dodge.
The study also uncovered how widespread the problem is: 58% of respondents said birds had pooped on their car more than once in a day, and 11% reported paint damage as a result. Nearly 30% believed the birds were deliberately «targeting» their vehicles, a feeling most common among Lexus (47%), Tesla (39%), and Dodge (35%) owners.
The nuisance also has financial consequences. Over half of drivers said they paid for car washes specifically because of bird mess, while 39% admitted to visiting car washes multiple times a month for the same reason. Around one in four spent more than $500 a year on cleaning and repairs, with Tesla and BMW owners reporting the highest costs.
Non-Financial Consequences
Beyond the mess, bird droppings have even influenced driver behaviour. More than half of participants worried their parking spots did not offer enough protection, and 38% said they were willing to walk further to avoid «poop zones.»
The report attributes this avian targeting to both environmental and visual factors. Birds often perch under trees, power lines, or street signs, leaving cars parked below «in the line of fire.» Moreover, because birds perceive ultraviolet light, darker shades like red, brown, and black may appear more striking to them.
As the study notes: «If you’ve ever felt like your car is a magnet for bird droppings, you’re not wrong. Science suggests there may be more behind the mess than bad luck.»
