Paul Ruby sent the following letter (response sent from mail@cartalk.com).
Dear Car Talk Guys:
We have at least a partial answer to the fellow’s question about birds doing poo-poo on the white car. We can say with confidence that birds can indeed control the time at which they doo-doo. Also, it is a fact that birds sometimes do poo-poo when they are startled. One of our birds will save doo-doo time for the moment before feeding. Since we won't let our Senegal parrot on our shoulder until she doo-do-s, she will do her duty on cue over the toilet or sink in order to gain shoulder privileges. Also, in regard to the white-car problem, we can say that it is very possible that the birds see a giant white egg and say to themselves, "What the heck laid that egg?" and, being quite startled, do their dookie. Or something like that.
Our birds go poo-poo if they are startled sometimes, we have noticed. So, we wouldn't be surprised if they really pick out that white car/egg. It may startle them.
Paul and Mary Ruby
