What do Robin droppings look like?

Robins are common backyard birds found throughout most of North America. As with any animal, robins produce waste in the form of droppings or feces. Knowing what Robin droppings look like can help birders and nature enthusiasts identify areas where robins frequent. Additionally, being able to recognize Robin droppings can help homeowners identify potential pest issues before they arise. In this article, we will explore what Robin droppings look like, what they are composed of, where they are most commonly found, and how to clean them up properly.

What Do Robin Droppings Look Like?

Robin droppings are small and black with some white. They resemble a white toothpaste with black dots or spots. Here are some key identifying features of Robin droppings:

• Size: On average, individual droppings measure about 1⁄4 inch to 1⁄3 inch in length.
• Shape: Round, oblong or oval-shaped.
• Color: Mostly black or dark brown due to digested insects, with white uric acid.
• Texture: Chalky and crumbly when dry.
• Odor: Earthy, musty odor.

Robin droppings often contain berry skins and seeds which can give them a colorful, speckled appearance. The white uric acid is a result of their nitrogenous waste.

Sometimes a large dropping may contain several smaller droppings clustered together from multiple passes over a perch or nest. Droppings at a chosen perch site will pile up forming layers over time.

It is important to note that diarrhea in birds will result in much wetter, larger, and less formed droppings. Normal robin droppings are more solid and compact.

What Are Robin Droppings Made Of?

Robin droppings consist of two parts:

1. Fecal matter – This is made up of undigested insect parts, berries, seeds, and other food items. It makes up the dark portion of the dropping.
2. Urate – This is the white pasty part that is the uric acid. It is the nitrogenous waste formed from robin metabolism.

Some key facts about the composition of robin droppings:

• 75-80% water
• 10-16% microbes like bacteria, fungi
• 2-3% protein
• 1-2% carbohydrate and fat
• 8-10% inorganic minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium

The composition varies somewhat depending on the robin’s recent diet. Insect-rich diets result in darker droppings with more fecal matter. Berry or seed-rich diets lead to lighter droppings with more uric acid.

Where Are Robin Droppings Usually Found?

Robin droppings are most often found in areas frequented by robins. Favorite spots include:

• Bird baths – The edge of a bird bath is a preferred perching spot for robins to drink and bathe.
• Birdbaths
• Roofs – Robin droppings may accumulate on roofs, windowsills, decks, patio furniture, and outdoor décor.
• Nests – Large amounts of droppings will build up in and around robin nests in trees, on ledges, etc.
• Feeders – You’ll find splattering on the ground underneath robin feeding areas.
• Soil – Robin droppings may accumulate in garden beds, potted plants, landscaping, and soft garden soil as they forage for worms and insects.
• Koi Ponds – Robins like to perch over water features to drink and hunt for frogs and fish.

Pay attention to regularly maintained bird perches and nesting spots to identify areas where Robin droppings may accumulate.

Potential Health Risks

While robin droppings pose a minimal health risk, there are some things to be aware of. Some potential risks include:

• Histoplasmosis – This fungal infection can be spread by breathing in spores that are disturbed from accumulations of bird droppings. Very rare from robin droppings.
• Psittacosis – Also called parrot fever, this bacterial disease can spread to humans. More common in parrots than robins.
• Cryptococcosis – A fungal disease that can infect those with weakened immune systems. Very rare.
• Toxoplasmosis – A parasitic disease carried by cats that robins can spread by eating infected insects and earthworms. Normally only an issue for those with weakened immune systems.

For most people, minor precautions should eliminate any disease risk from robin droppings. Proper handwashing, gloves, and masks are recommended when cleaning or handling bird feces accumulations. Avoid stirring up dust or particles. Those with weakened immune systems should take extra care.

Cleaning Up Robin Droppings

Cleaning up after robins can help keep porches, patios, cars, and other areas free of droppings. Here are some tips:

• Use gloves and a mask or respirator when dust is stirred up.
• Use a spray bottle with a 10% bleach solution or disinfectant.
• Dampen the droppings before sweeping or using a shovel.
• Avoid using a leaf blower or shop vac – this stirs up feather dust and particles.
• Use a stiff bristle brush and the disinfectant solution to scrub a surface after removing all visible droppings.
• Rinse cleaned areas thoroughly.
• Wash hands thoroughly after.
• Wash any textiles or cushions droppings have soiled.

Taking precautions will minimize health risks during the cleanup process.

Discouraging Robins

To reduce robin droppings in an area, you can make the area less attractive to robins. Here are some tips:

• Use predator decoys like owls or hawks.
• Install bird spikes in common perches.
• Use reflective ribbons or metallic streamers nearby.
• Stop feeding birds – clean up fallen seed from feeders.
• Use ultrasonic or tone-emitting bird repellents.
• Trim trees and bushes to remove nesting habitats.
• Use fake owls or snakes to scare off robins.

A combination of exclusion and scaring tactics can train robins to avoid an area. However, completely eliminating robins from a yard is extremely difficult. A tolerant co-existence is usually required.

When To Call A Wildlife Professional

In most cases, robin droppings around a yard can be cleaned up and managed by the homeowner. However, in some cases professional help may be advised:

• Large accumulated droppings – over 1/2 inch deep across a 10 foot area. Harbors more fungal spores.
• Droppings remain despite numerous cleanings and attempts at exclusion.
• Droppings found inside an attic, down chimney, or elsewhere inside the home. Indicates a nest or roost inside.
• Anyone in the household has a weakened immune system, risks include young children, elderly, those undergoing chemotherapy, etc.
• Respiratory issues arise during cleanup despite precautions.

Professional wildlife control experts have specialized equipment, disinfectants, and expertise to remove large amounts of bird droppings. They can also identify and remove indoor nesting areas.

Homeowners should discuss their specific situation with a wildlife company to determine if professional help is required.

When To Call A Doctor

In most cases, robin droppings are harmless to humans. But if any symptoms or health issues do occur, call a doctor right away. Seek medical care if:

• Flulike symptoms arise within 2 weeks of cleaning up large amounts of droppings.
• You have trouble breathing when working in areas with robin droppings.
• Eye irritation, coughing, or headaches occur after exposure.
• You have a weakened immune system and have cleaned up after robins.
• You cut yourself on a potential contaminated surface and the wound appears infected.
• Flulike symptoms occur during robin nesting season.

Notify your physician that robin droppings may be the source of infection. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of any fungal or bacterial disease is important.

Listen to your body and seek medical help if any concerning symptoms arise around robin droppings. Call 911 for difficulty breathing or other emergencies.

Robin Dropping vs Other Bird Droppings

There are some key ways to differentiate robin droppings from other common backyard birds:

The size, color, texture, and contents can help identify the bird species responsible, especially when combined with eyewitness accounts. Location found can also be a clue – robins frequent yards while hawks are more likely along a fence line, for example.

Conclusion

Robin droppings have a characteristic color and texture that helps identify the presence of these backyard birds. Their small size and white uric acid content differentiate them from other bird species. While no major health hazard, it is smart to take precautions and use disinfectants when cleaning up droppings. Discouraging roosting spots can also reduce accumulation. Being able to identify locations where robins frequent based on their droppings allows birdwatchers and homeowners to take appropriate steps to protect their health while enjoying the presence of robins in the yard. With proper precautions, robin droppings are no cause for major alarm.