Acidity of Bird Droppings?

Hi and welcome

Bird droppings normally consist of a mix of "Number 1s" (cellular waste) and "Number 2's" (undigested food residues). It all gets mixed up in the cloaca and expelled.

Most birds operate at low water levels (it's heavy to transport by air) so the white component of droppings is a thick paste of uric acid. This can get acidic enough to wrinkle car paintwork. I speak from experience here.

I'm not aware of any research on which species kick out the urates with the lowest ph. I'd imagine that much depends on diet.

JBNTS   

I think seabirds have very acidic droppings, but thats the extent of my knowledge!

Couldn't tell you the acidity of bird droppings but years ago I used to valet cars for a living and can honestly say that I have witnessed many a car ruined by bird droppings..... If it gets baked on by the sun it actually eats it's way into the paint leaving permanent damage! So if you get droppings on your car wash it off straight away!! 

higgy50 said:

Couldn't tell you the acidity of bird droppings but years ago I used to valet cars for a living and can honestly say that I have witnessed many a car ruined by bird droppings..... If it gets baked on by the sun it actually eats it's way into the paint leaving permanent damage! So if you get droppings on your car wash it off straight away!! 

Hi higgy

I have heard that too, and we always do that :-)

Hi MS

Bird droppings do indeed contain uric acid, that can eat through steel.