A number of bird species exhibit an unusual dietary habit — eating feces. This phenomenon, known as coprophilia, has become the subject of study by scientists from the University of South Australia, as reported by the journal Biological Reviews.
Coprophilia is a behavior characteristic not only of insects and mammals but also of some domestic birds. Previously, scientists did not claim that this behavior was typical of wild birds. However, they have now discovered that coprophilia occurs in ducks, ostriches, crossbills, partridges, magpies, and petrels. Some birds consume the droppings of their relatives, while others prefer the feces of various animals, such as seals, dogs, whales, and mountain lions. This behavior helps them restore the balance of beneficial bacteria in their intestines, similar to the procedure of fecal transplantation in humans.
It has been previously reported that ostriches feed their chicks feces to accelerate the development of their intestinal microbiome. Additionally, this practice helps maintain cleanliness in the nest. Adult birds thus preserve the balance of microbes and nutrients in their bodies.
