Terry Allen sent the following letter
(response sent from mail@cartalk.com).
I was intrigued by your discussion of bird habits and the bombing patterns they appear to exhibit to the thousands of (mostly involuntary) researchers in this field. I am happy to say that I am completely bereft of any academic qualifications whatsoever to be talking about this topic, but I do happen to drive a white 1988 Hyundai Excel on occasion, and I have made some observations you may find, um, thought-provoking.
It seems to me that it is not necessary for the average bird to have any compulsion to unload on white cars, and all that is necessary is that something about the car or its contrast with the background of the parking space attracts the birds' attention enough to prompt some of them to drop to a lower altitude for a better look. Even if the 'false alarm' button goes off in the bird's brain almost immediately, and the bird checks his or her dive and begins to climb once more, the bird may occasionally leave a reminder of this passing spark of curiosity.
Now, I have no idea if the bird's curiosity is aroused because it thinks the car is
- a very symmetrically shaped body of water;
- another bird in serious trouble; or
- good to eat
but any of these possibilities would, I think, quickly produce a highly decorated white car, while a lower-contrast green or brown car would be virtually ignored and probably have to undergo some sort of counseling in later life to compensate.
Best regards,
Terry Allen
