Minnesota Bird Lovers: I Thought My Aunt Was Making This Up

Yesterday, my aunt casually dropped a bird fact on me that stopped me in my tracks.

"Birds poop every time they take off to fly." I laughed and immediately questioned it. Really? Every single time? As it turns out, she wasn't completely wrong.

DO BIRDS POOP EVERY TIME THEY FLY?

Scientists have found that many birds often relieve themselves just before or shortly after taking flight. The reason is surprisingly practical. Birds are built for efficiency, and carrying less weight can make flying easier and require less energy. That makes sense.

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Now, before you start watching every bird in your yard, it's important to know that birds do not poop EVERY SINGLE TIME they fly. Experts say it's a common behavior, but it's not a guaranteed part of every takeoff.

BIRD WATCHERS....START WATCHING

As I've gotten older, I've turned into my mother and grandmother in the birdwatching way; I've recently started watching birds more often. When my aunt said this to me, I found this little fact impossible to ignore. Suddenly, I was looking at every bird that landed in or near my yard, and if my aunt had actually been onto something!

LIGHTENING THE 'LOAD'

Many of the birds Minnesotans see every day are among those known to frequently relieve themselves before or shortly after flight. Some of those birds include:

American Robin

One of the most common birds in Minnesota yards. If you've watched robins hopping across the lawn, you've probably witnessed this behavior without even realizing it.

Black-capped Chickadee

Minnesota's state bird is tiny but constantly eating. With such an active metabolism, chickadees tend to poop frequently throughout the day. It only makes sense!

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Blue Jay

These colorful backyard bullies are always on the move and are often observed relieving themselves before taking off.

Northern Cardinal

A favorite at feeders across the state, cardinals are another species that can often be seen taking care of business before heading to their next stop. Maybe it's because we watch for them more often...They are so bright and they say when one comes around, that it's a sign. I never thought about them relieving themselves before.

Mourning Dove

These birds spend plenty of time feeding on the ground and frequently leave behind evidence of their visits.

Red-winged Blackbird

A sure sign of spring in Minnesota, these birds are commonly spotted in marshes and fields and often display this behavior.

Canada Goose

Perhaps the most infamous bird on this list. While geese don't necessarily poop every time they fly, they certainly produce enough droppings to make people wonder...and fearful of looking up when they are flying overhead.

Mallards and Other Ducks

Minnesota's lakes are full of waterfowl, and ducks are known to relieve themselves before, during, and after flight.

A WIERD BIRD FACT WORTH WATCHING FOR

Bird experts say this behavior likely helps birds become more efficient flyers by shedding a little extra weight before taking to the air.

So, was my aunt right?

Not exactly.

Birds don't poop every single time they fly, but many species often do. That's close enough to make me think twice the next time I'm standing under a tree full of birds.

A NATURAL FLIGHT PREPARATION

And if you're a Minnesota bird lover like me, don't be surprised if you find yourself watching a little more carefully the next time a chickadee, robin, or blue jay launches into the sky. You might just witness one of nature's strangest little flight preparations.