Is Plastic Making Birds
More Attractive?

Mikaela Walsh, 4ocean Research Analyst

New mating behavior observed in bird communities involves a lot of plastic.

Birds are among the most infamous animals to study because they exhibit various behaviors that can indicate the health of the environment. One reason for this is that birds can quickly adapt to their natural surroundings.

For example, Darwin examined the Finches in the Galapagos islands and saw a variance in beak size and type based on their food source. All the finches were related, but they displayed adaptations to thrive better in their environments. This was one of the evolutionary discoveries of animals that led to evolution.

Birds have been observed ingesting plastic debris worldwide. Marine birds are among the most susceptible animals to entanglement in plastic debris and ingestion. Birds are often observed starving due to plastic ingestion.

Birds have fallen victim to eating plastic and getting caught in plastic debris, making nests out of plastic!

Birds have been observed all across continents using synthetic plastic materials to build their nests. In a study done in 2018, the researchers found that around a quarter of all the bird nests they observed had macroplastic incorporated in them. This does not even account for the microplastic that was not visible to the naked eye.

Along with the new nest building block comes a series of potential complications. Plastic has a high heat index, meaning that it can hold onto heat and remain hotter for a period of time. This could adversely affect the nest, eggs, and birds that live in the nest, as the nest remains hotter for longer periods than intended.

Another problem is that researchers have examined baby birds getting entangled in the plastic debris material, meaning they cannot fly away and learn how to hunt. Another issue is when the birds are hungry, waiting for the mom to return with food. They begin to eat the synthetic plastic in their nest and feel full but starving. Plastic found in nests can harm adult and newborn birds that are beginning to feed. These birds are introduced to plastic debris, even in their diet, from the moment they enter the world.

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A species of bird native to Australia, the satin bowerbirds, are known for their unique mating preferences. When male satin bowerbirds try to impress the females, they make intricate stick structures. These birds have always had a creative side and would add flowers, shells, berries, and even feathers to these in hopes of building the most eye-catching one to attract the females to mate with them.

These satin bowerbirds have been seen collecting blue synthetic man-made plastic materials to impress the female birds. These bright blue plastic structures are becoming a hot commodity for the birds, and researchers are observing the status quo of the birds with the blue plastic. It is now being seen that birds without synthetic materials are at a significant disadvantage, causing more birds to start adapting to these bright-colored plastics.

Furthermore, since the birds with plastics are at an advantage, more birds are using plastic in their mating behavior. This leads to a whole new social pyramid within the bird colonies of plastic being cherished and favored over natural materials. This will create many future problems, especially if these birds begin to eat and vastly dispute this plastic in more of their daily lives.

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It's horrifying to hear that animals have begun to idolize plastic, especially regarding mating behavior. Humans can intervene with this by:

Removing plastic from the environment.
Reducing the amount of plastic you use.
Educating peers about the damaging effects of plastic.
Disposing of your trash properly.

Plastic pollution is extremely damaging to many organisms in our ecosystem. Birds have been thoroughly observed regarding the effects of plastic pollution. Man-made synthetic plastic material is being found all across the world. You can help end the oceanic plastic crisis and the suffering of many animals affected by plastic debris. We are on a mission, and we need your help. Don’t be a bystander; stand up for the environment.