A study published in Current Biology reveals that streaked shearwaters consistently defecate mid-air at regular intervals (4-10 minutes). Researchers, using belly-mounted cameras on birds on Funakoshi Ohshima, Japan, initially studying leg movements, unexpectedly documented this behavior. This unique observation of seabird excretion at sea could provide insights into nutrient cycling in coastal waters and avian influenza transmission among seabirds. The researchers suggest that similar flight patterns in other seabirds might exhibit this aerial defecation.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.