Research Shows Birds Nesting with 30 Years of Plastic Waste in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s Eurasian coots are building their nests out of plastic trash, giving scientists a surprising look into decades of human waste. According to Madeleine Cuff writing for New Scientist, these city-dwelling birds have turned to discarded plastic items like polystyrene burger boxes from the 1990s and Covid-19 face masks to build their homes.

Normally, coots (Fulica atra) would use natural materials like reeds and leaves. But with those supplies harder to find in Amsterdam’s busy waterways, the birds are turning to the most available option: human litter. Research led by Auke-Florian Hiemstra at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center found that coots aren’t just adding a few bits of trash — they are weaving hundreds of pieces into their nests. Some nests even layer decades of waste, with food wrappers from the 1994 FIFA World Cup and recent face masks, creating a strange plastic timeline.

While reusing these durable nests may help the birds save time and energy during breeding seasons, the shift comes with serious risks. Chicks can easily get caught in elastic mask straps, and sharp plastics can cause injuries. Hiemstra describes the phenomenon as a “documentation of the Anthropocene through the eyes of a bird,” a powerful reminder of how deeply human activity impacts the natural world.

Plastic nests might show adaptability, but they also highlight the urgent need for change. Every piece of trash left behind can end up harming animals in ways we barely imagine. Let’s take a stand for wildlife by refusing single-use plastics, choosing reusables, and supporting clean-up efforts wherever we can. The planet — and its animals — deserve better.

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