Why Birds Eat Feces: Unraveling the Mystery
Birds, often overlooked for their dietary habits, have a surprising penchant for consuming feces. Researchers are now delving into this enigmatic behavior to understand its underlying reasons.
The Phenomenon: Many bird species actively seek out feces, whether from their own kind or more exotic sources like dogs, whales, and river otters.
Health Implications: Despite being long disregarded, this behavior may significantly impact bird health. It could be a key factor contributing to their resilience across continents and time spans.
Balancing Act: Ingesting feces might help restore beneficial gut bacteria in birds, similar to fecal transplants in humans.
Ostrich Example: The common ostrich feeds its chicks with its own feces, accelerating the maturation of their intestinal microbiome.
However, while coprophagy (feces consumption) is inherently beneficial, it can also expose birds to harmful antimicrobial substances. Researchers emphasize the need for further exploration to understand its impact on avian health.
Source: phys.org; theubj.com; sciencealert.com;
Image Sources: shutterstock.com
