Amsterdam Study Reveals Blässhühner Using Decades-Old Plastic for Nests

Research finds urban birds repurposing plastic waste, including items dating back to the 1990s, to build durable nests in Amsterdam's canals.

Biologists analyzed Blässhühner nests in Amsterdam and found extensive use of plastic waste as building material.
One nest contained 635 plastic remnants, with the oldest pieces dating back to 1994, including Mars wrappers and McDonald's packaging.
Recent layers of nests featured items like COVID-19 masks, showing how the birds adapt to available urban waste.
The study suggests some nests have been reused for over 30 years, saving the birds effort in annual nest rebuilding.
Researchers highlight these nests as 'archives of the Anthropocene,' showcasing the long-lasting impact of human waste on wildlife.