Birds are an unusual cause of insanity, but this semester has proven to be a masterclass in the improbable. From their poop covering anything unfortunate enough to be near a tree to the smell of it overpowering certain areas, ULM birds must be stopped. 

The warmer weather brought on an insidious change: what was once the occasional bird droppings quickly spiraled into entire sidewalks and vehicles covered in excrement.   

On one fateful day, I made the grave mistake of parking under a tree. Even though I had been gone for less than 12 hours, an uneasy feeling overtook me as I neared my car. Once I turned the corner of the sidewalk and my car came into sight, my feelings were validated. The sheer amount of bird poop on my car made me take a step back. As I took in the damage, I soon realized that I was not the only victim to this crime. Every car in the same row as mine was completely decimated by their carnage.  

After that unfortunate day, I learned not to park under or near the trees. While that may have minimized the amount of droppings on my car, it certainly did not stop them. As a college student, I do not have the time nor funds to go to the carwash weekly, so I have learned to live with a car covered in white and black spots.  

The birds have not only been active in the Bayou Suites parking lot, but also near the fountain on campus. The bench closest to the student center is almost completely turned white due to the amount of poop on it. The area surrounding sidewalks reflects that as well.  

What used to be a nice place to sit and relax in between classes is now a dump, and the entire area smells like an unkept zoo. I often find myself holding my breath as I walk by to avoid gagging.  

While it is easy to blame the birds entirely, they are not exactly capable of cleaning up after themselves. The real issue is ULM’s lack of care for the matter. As we learn to coexist with these creatures, ULM should begin to power wash the benches and sidewalks every now and then or offer students supplies to wipe down their cars. Students deserve for something to be done.