The Pros and Cons of Eating Poop (and Giving Birds Bread)

Coprophagy, or consumption of feces, allows birds to absorb essential nutrients and adapt to new environments — but it encourages the global spread of pathogens.

A new study, led by researchers at the University of South Australia (UniSA) and recently published in Biological Reviewssheds light on the surprising role of coprophagyor the consumption of feces, in the formation of the digestive tract of wild birds.

This peculiar habit allows birds absorb nutrients that are absent from their diet and adapt to seasonal variations in food sources, which is particularly crucial for migratory birds whose eating habits alternate between fasting and metabolic feeding as they roam the globe.

“Consuming feces – whether your own or that of other birds – alters the bacteria and microbes in the birds’ digestive tracts, allowing them to adapt to new environments,” he explains. Barbara Drigomicrobial ecologist at UniSA and lead author of the study, in a press release from the university.

The study also found evidence that ingesting feces can serve as a form of self-medication to combat infections in birds.

However, the researcher warns that although coprophagy provides essential nutrients to birds, also has disadvantages: birds can incubate and transmit diseases to other birds and humans through their feces.

A migratory birdsin particular, are capable of effectively spreading pathogens on a global scale, depending on its geographic reachbehavior and interactions with other animals and environments.

Furthermore, highlights the microbial ecologist, the consumption of bird feces can increase exposure to antimicrobialsespecially pesticides and cleaning products, inducing antimicrobial resistance in birds.

Birds that feed in urban environments and in contact with humans are exposed to chemicals and metals from waste, wastewater and garbage, which can also cause antimicrobial resistance and alter its microbiotathe set of living microorganisms that inhabit and interact with each other in our intestine.

The researcher also highlights the importance of avoid feeding birds with bread— eating habits that decreases the diversity of your gut microbiotaunlike what happens when birds feed in natural places, where their digestive tract remains healthier.

“A healthy digestive tract is essential for regulating the biological functions of birds, and the feces consumption plays a significant rolein this process. However, although coprophagy is inherently beneficial, it can expose birds to harmful antimicrobial substances”, concludes Barbara Drigo.