Study Finds Birds Prefer Certain Car Colors and Brands

If you’re an Iowa driver thinking about buying a new car, you might want to reconsider going dark. A new study found that birds are more likely to leave their mark on darker-colored vehicles, especially brown ones. Red and black cars followed closely behind, while white and silver cars appeared to be safer bets.

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Darker Cars Take the Biggest Hit

Researchers believe birds’ superior color vision plays a role. Because they can detect ultraviolet light, darker cars might appear more prominent or even threatening to them. The study also suggests that shiny finishes can reflect a bird’s own image, tricking them into thinking it’s a rival during mating season — which can lead to multiple “attacks” on the same vehicle.

Top Brands Targeted by Birds

When it comes to brands, the report found that Ram drivers face the most bird-related messes. Jeep and Chevrolet followed close behind, with Nissan, Dodge, Kia, Tesla, Audi, Ford, and Subaru rounding out the top ten.

While the study didn’t specify whether rural or urban locations matter more, anyone parking under trees, power lines, or streetlights, common spots across Iowa, may be increasing their odds of getting hit.

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The Cost of Staying Clean

Bird droppings aren’t just gross; they can damage paint if left untreated. About 24% of Americans spend more than $500 a year cleaning or repairing damage from bird droppings. The study found that Tesla and BMW owners spend the most, likely because of their higher-end paint jobs.

So the next time you wash your car in Iowa, maybe skip the brown paint — or at least park far from the trees.