It is delightful listening to the tweeting and chirping of birds in the morning.
In residential areas, birds like pigeons and crows gather in large flocks.
It is best to keep them at bay though, as bird droppings are a health hazard.
Bird dropping is a mixture of the bird’s waste products, both digestive and urinary.
Generally, bird droppings can be categorised into three main colours: white, green and brown.
White droppings primarily contain uric acid, indicating the high-protein diet of birds.
Green droppings suggest the herbivorous species, which consume plant matter.
Brown droppings are from birds that eat seeds.
Birds and their droppings can cause a variety of health risks; some are potentially deadly.
The pathogens present in bird droppings such as bacteria, fungi and viruses can cause mild to severe illnesses in humans.
The diseases spread by droppings can become airborne when dried, transferring to humans in the vicinity of the droppings.
People with lung or other health conditions should avoid dried bird droppings as when disrupted, the dust becomes airborne and causes irritation in the bronchial passage.
Bird droppings can cause extensive damage to properties.
This is because it contains uric acid that has a pH level of around 3.5 to 4, which can eat through a few types of building materials, including cement.
As bird droppings are acidic, they can damage the surface of a car and the longer these stay on the car, the more damage they can cause to the paint.
Additionally, their nests built under roofs can become a fire hazard, clog up gutters or drain pipes, and even block ventilation.
It can also be a safety issue with wet droppings causing slips and falls.
When it comes to cleaning bird droppings, it is essential to wear protective gear, including gloves and mask, to prevent exposure to potentially harmful airborne pathogens.
From spreading diseases to damaging infrastructure, the seemingly innocuous act of birds relieving themselves can pose significant dangers to both human health and the ecosystem at large.
WONG SOO KAN
Petaling Jaya
