Science

Do Red Cars Get the Most (Bird) Crap?

Even though it may be a myth that red cars get targeted more often by police cruisers, a new study from a British auto retailer shows they might in fact be getting targeted by another species: birds.

Sponsored by a Halfords, a survey of 1,140 cars in five different towns revealed red vehicles get pooped on more than other colored cars. Coming in as a more likely droppings’ target 18 percent of the time, red cars are then followed by blue cars at 14 percent, black cars at 11 percent and white cars at 7 percent.

According to Halfords’ press release on the research, there are many theories — none of which are scientifically proven — as to why this could be happening to red cars more often:

Theories abound on motoring and social networking websites as to why birds are attracted to pooping on some cars more than others. A Lexus driver reckoned newly polished cars suffer because birds see a reflection of themselves. A Ford Focus owner agreed and said the darker the colour the deeper the reflection and the more violent the reaction. An Alfa Romeo owner said it depends where you park and a Mercedes driver said blue was the worst as it reminded birds of water.

Others thought birds saw red as a danger or birds went for similar colours to their own plumage, such as in seaside resorts seagulls went for white cars, while in cities pigeons go for grey.

Still, the study found red cars were pooped on more often regardless of the town they were parked in.

A spokesperson for the Bird Trust for Ornithology acknowledged that while birds are attracted to certain colors, where you park — under a tree for example — probably has more to do with an increased likelihood for droppings.

The point of the study was not so much to really figure out bird preferences — after all, chance played a big factor in this — but largely was to discuss the damaging effects of bird droppings on a vehicle’s paint job.

“This research does have a serious side because the problem annoys drivers, causes damaged paintwork and affects the value of vehicles,” Halford’s cleaning expert David Howells said in the release. “To protect your bodywork from damage, droppings should be carefully cleaned off as soon as possible.”

According to car owners surveyed, 17 percent cleaned cars the moment they saw the stains, 20 percent waited a couple days and 55 percent would wait until their next car wash.

(H/T: Gawker)

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