Plastic debris in bird nests: sources, ecological impacts, and bioindicator potential for monitoring microplastic pollution

Plastic pollution is a growing global environmental challenge, with human-generated debris increasingly used as nesting material by birds. This highlights the widespread impact of human activity on ecosystems. Plastics in nests fragment into mesoplastics and microplastics, posing risks to organisms and ecosystems. Predominantly, polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) appear as fibers, fragments, and strings. Birds are affected by plastic contamination through entanglement, ingestion, and exposure to toxic pollutants, including harmful additives. As bioindicators, birds reveal the extent of plastic pollution and associated ecological risks. Addressing this issue requires ongoing research on microplastic distribution in seabird nests, improved waste management, and monitoring in polluted regions. Social media can also aid efforts to map hotspots and raise awareness about plastic contamination in estuarine and coastal ecosystems.