Biologist stunned by unusual materials found packed inside bird nest: 'The oldest layer is as old as me'
Researchers in Amsterdam have discovered that Eurasian coots are building nests using plastic waste dating back decades.
One nest contained 635 artificial items, including a 1994 FIFA World Cup souvenir and a 1996 McDonald's McChicken container.
"The oldest layer is as old as me — all my life, a bird was nesting here," said Auke-Florian Hiemstra, a biologist at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, Netherlands.
Unlike natural nests that decay each year, these plastic structures can last for decades. Some coots are even reusing old plastic nests rather than building new ones — an unusual behavior for these birds.
These nests reveal how deeply plastic has worked its way into nature. Like scientists use tree rings to study past climates, these nests contain a timeline of human trash production.
Unlike natural materials that decompose within months, the plastic in these nests won't break down for hundreds of years. This represents a dramatic shift in how wild animals interact with their environments.
While birds adapt to use these materials, we don't yet know how toxic chemicals in plastics might affect developing chicks or adult birds.
These "accidental archives" also serve as physical proof of how long our everyday trash stays in the environment — the McDonald's wrapper you tossed years ago might still be in a bird's home today.
Companies are developing biodegradable packaging alternatives that break down naturally if they end up in the environment. Many communities now offer plastic recycling programs that keep waste out of waterways.
Should tourists be responsible for cleaning up their own trash?
Absolutely
In most cases
It depends on the place
No, they shouldn't
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
You can help by reducing single-use plastic in your daily life. Choose reusable water bottles and shopping bags. Pick up plastic litter when you see it, especially near water.Support businesses that use eco-friendly packaging. And remember: Proper disposal of plastic items means they're less likely to end up in a bird's nest.
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Photograph by TheCars are at a standstill along the Pan-American Highway in Panama City, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, following a tsunami warning after a earthquake struck off the coast of Russia early Wednesday. Photograph by Matias Delacroix, AP On a related note: just over a week prior, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake (which also briefly threatened to generate a tsunami) exploded along the very same subduction zone. Earthquake scientists are now speculating as to whether that significant temblor was some sort of precursor, or at least a possible warning, of today's catastrophic event. For now, 'we have no way of telling that a magnitude 7.0 will be followed at some point by a larger quake,' says Lucile Bruhat, an earthquake scientist working in the insurance industry. But there is a chance that the magnitude 7.4 quake from earlier this month 'could have triggered today's earthquake. But it will be after analyzing the slip and rupture pattern that we'll be able to confirm that assumption.' In some ways, today's magnitude 8.8 event 'is a near-repeat of the magnitude 9.0,' says Tobin. But earthquakes of similar magnitudes can release vastly different amounts of energy, and despite its only slightly higher rating, the 1952 quake was twice as energetic as today's, which goes some way to explaining why the previous event was more destructive and decidedly lethal. As frightening as that quake itself would have been, much of the concern immediately focused on the tsunami it undoubtedly unleashed. 'These shallow subduction megathrust events cause large tsunamis because the portion of fault that moves during the earthquake reaches close to, if not directly penetrates, the seafloor, displacing vast volumes of water in the sea above,' says Hicks. (Here's why no one was prepared for the deadliest tsunami in history.) Calculating the possible wave heights of tsunamis can be tricky, as the shape and depth profile of the shoreline can really affect its development from location to location. 'The wave energy is guided by the depth of the water in any given location,' says Tobin. Either way, based on the nature of the quake itself, the threat was obvious. 'Issuing a tsunami warning was absolutely right thing to do.' Nations across the Pacific were immediately placed on alert. So far, the worst-hit region is that of southeastern Kamchatka, where tsunami waves reaching a heigh of over 16 feet have been observed. Structures have been seen being washed away in some locations, although no deaths have currently been reported. 'It's a very sparsely populated region too, so there wasn't a lot in harm's way, fortunately,' says Tobin. Meanwhile, a vast volume of water was pushed out into the wider ocean, triggering evacuation notices in Japan, several Pacific islands, and, eventually, across Hawaii. In Japan, initial smaller tsunami wave had heights of around one foot. But later, waves as high as 4.3 feet were recorded, with the possibility of waves double that height possible for some shorelines. Hawaii has also seen waves several feet high. Aftershocks—including those capable of generating smaller tsunamis—will continue for some time. But even if the damage from the mainshock's tsunami is still being assessed, it seems much of the Pacific has dodged a decidedly grim fate. 'It's kind of looking like the amplitude of the tsunami is less than at least the worst-case scenarios,' says Tobin.
