It starts as a tiny white splatter you notice on the hood. Then another appears on the mirror. By the time you’re loading groceries into the trunk, the roof looks like it hosted a seagull convention. You sigh, knowing a car wash is now mandatory. If you’re unlucky, and went days before seeing the “gifts,” that acidic mess might already be eating into your paint. Most drivers know this story all too well…and some are convinced it’s no accident.

At least that’s how nearly a third of American drivers feel about birds. A new survey finds that 29% of people believe birds are intentionally targeting their cars with droppings, the evidence, at least from the cleanup bills, might support the theory.

The survey of 1,000 U.S. drivers paints a vivid picture of life under aerial bombardment

Alan’s Factory Outlet, an American-made carport manufacturer, might have just validated more than a quarter of drivers’ feelings about bird crap.

According to its survey results, more than half (58%) said their vehicle had been hit more than once in the same day, and nearly a quarter (24%) spend over $500 each year on car washes and paint repairs because of bird mess.

That money isn’t just going toward making a car look presentable. Bird droppings are acidic enough to etch into clear coat and paint if left too long. Sometimes, in just a few hours under the sun.

Once that happens, a simple rinse no longer cuts it. Detailing, repainting, or even panel refinishing can follow. That’s why Tesla and BMW drivers, whose cars often have more expensive finishes, are among the most likely to spend hundreds on cleanups each year.

According to Harry’s Auto Collision, new clear coat on a panel, like a hood, can run anywhere from $200 to $1,500.

Drivers of Ram, Jeep, and Chevrolet cars reported the most splatter

And darker paint jobs, especially brown, red, and black, were the most likely to attract it.

The annoyance pushes people to change habits, too. 29% of drivers said they’ve switched parking spots to avoid “poop zones.” 38% admitted they’d walk up to a block just to dodge a messy perch.

About one in five said they’d shell out $50 a month for a carport or garage addition to keep their car safe. It’s a not-so-crazy investment when the alternative is years of recurring cleanup costs.

Science does explain some of the bird behavior

Birds perched on trees or wires are simply “doing what they do,” and shiny paint or reflective mirrors can trigger territorial responses. But knowing that doesn’t make the bill any easier to swallow.

With 11% of drivers reporting actual paint damage from doo-doo, it’s clear that what starts as a small splat can become a surprisingly expensive problem.