Let’s go right to the point. Is “guano” merely another term for bird feces? Yes, technically. Is seabird guano of any use? Yes, it is!
For hundreds of years, guano has been utilized as a fertilizer. It became a popular item all across the globe in the nineteenth century. Farmers desired it, governments prospered from it, and battles were waged over it.
So, want to talk about seabird guano vs bat guano?
Bat guano & seabird guano are the 2 most common varieties of guano. Because of its high protein fish diet, seabird guano is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium. Fruit-eating bats create guano with a high phosphorus content, while insect-eating bats generate guano with greater nitrogen content.
Fruit and insects are the two primary dietary sources for bats. Although these goods seem to be identical, they have some significant distinctions.
Quick Comparison Between Seabird Guano and Bat Guano
To make it easier for you, we’ve created a table that discusses all the differences in short:
| Particulars | Seabird Guano | Bat Guano |
| Nitrogen level | High in nitrogen | Lower in nitrogen (Except insect-eating bats) |
| Phosphorus level | High in phosphorus | Lower in phosphorus (Except fruit-eating bats) |
| Where to find | Found all over the world | Found in cave |
Let’s go into the details now that you understand some of the basics of seabird guano and bat guano! Let’s dig in.
Seabird Guano vs Bat Guano-Detailed Comparison
At first glance, both guano seem quite similar. But in-depth they have a lot of differences. So, let’s find out their detailed comparison.
Nitrogen And Phosphorus Level
Seabird guano does have the greatest nutritional content of all guanos. With 10-16 percent nitrogen, 8-12 percent phosphorus, and 2-3 percent potassium in a standard fertilizer. Guano from bats and otters has somewhat lower nutritional levels. Yet it is still one of the most nutrient-dense natural fertilizers accessible.
Peruvian guano is frequently considered the best because of the cold ocean. And mild air around Peru’s coast prevents rain and consequent nutrient leakage. This leads to greater nitrogen levels in particular.
Bat guano is frequently sold with high nitrogen or phosphorus content. It’s normally powdered. So it may be distributed straight out of the bag or blended with liquid for spray and hydroponic treatments. It’s also available as a pellet or a ready-to-use liquid.
The biggest disadvantage of employing guano is its expense, not its simplicity of usage. Guano maybe 10 or even more times more expensive per kilogram than other organic forms of nutrients. Even phosphorus, owing to its scarcity and high demand.
The N-P-K analysis of high-nitrogen bat guano is generally about 10-3-1, whereas high-phosphorus bat guano is usually around 3-10-1. The N-P-K analysis of high-nitrogen seabird guano is generally 12-18-1, whereas the N-P-K analysis of high-phosphorus seabird guano is usually 1-10-1.
They both use slow-release fertilizers to store the bulk of their nutrients. Which take three to four months or more to release. Guano boosts microbial activity also in the soil and speeds up the breakdown process.
The interaction of guano with soil may be accelerated by adding an enzyme that boosts the metabolic processes of the decomposition process.
Where To Find
Guanos, or bird and bat feces, are among nature’s finest! Bat guano can be found in tunnels and caves all over the world. On the other hand, dung from seabirds may even be found all over the planet.
Because of the cold water from Antarctica, Peru is regarded as one of the finest seabird guano producers in the world. The mix of ice water and moist air generates a dry atmosphere that avoids rain and is ideal for preservation.
Guanos As Fertilizer
Guanos have been used as a fertilizer for millennia. Guano has been utilized as a fertilizer by the Andean inhabitants of South America for over 1,500 years. Guano was so valuable to the Incas that anybody who disturbed the guano-producing birds was put to death.
The Chincha Islands Conflict between Peru and Spain. Which lasted from 1864 to 1866, and was fought for control of islands filled with seabird guano. Deep Treasure has rendered seabird & bat guano accessible in a bag or bottle.
So you don’t have to go to warfare or take drastic methods to collect whatever you need for the garden.
Guano fertilizers are particularly heavy in phosphorus and nitrogen, making them ideal for usage around fruiting and blooming plants. They’re also abundant in trace minerals, making them a well-rounded source of nourishment.
They’re also excellent for preparing growth-promoting liquid teas! To prevent causing harm to animals and their ecosystem. Everything is gathered according to stringent preservation rules.
Here are a couple of fertilizers that might come in handy:
- Down to Earth Organic Bat Guano Fertilizer Mix
- Down to Earth All Natural Seabird Guano Fertilizer Mix
Guano has little use as an industrial fertilizer. Despite the fact that it operates slowly but for a longer period of time than artificial fertilizers. This is owing to the lengthy regeneration durations and poor efficiency that come with them.
As well as the challenging mining circumstances. Almost all Guano birds are fish eaters and need over 10 tons of fish to produce 1 ton of Guano. The use of Guano as a fertilizer in agriculture is environmentally dubious.
If the conversion of high-quality protein sources into fish meal for animal feed in hog chops. As well as chicken eggs are ethically dubious. Even in a hungry world, how much more so is the translation of fish protein in bird bellies to Guano?
Final Verdict
Bat guano includes from 3 to 8.5 percent nitrogen and 2–10 percent phosphoric acid. And has a nearly neutral pH of 7.5. The urea provides an immediate “nitrogen boost” to the plants. While the insect chitin residues operate as an N-depot.
Supplies nitrogen to the plants only via the microbial process of decomposition in the soil. Commercial use of bat guano is not without controversy, since it may cause significant bat disturbance.
On the other hand, seabird guano has a higher level of nitrogen (10%-16%). And 8 to 12 percent of phosphoric acid. It has a pH of 7.3, which is also nearly neutral.
That’s why a low amount of seabird guano has a higher productivity rate. So, we can realize that seabird guano is far ahead of bat guano in all aspects.
FAQs
What is Guano From Petrified Seabirds?
Fossilized Seabird Guano contains beneficial root growth and vigorous bud development. While also boosting soil phosphorus availability (9%). No nitrogen is present. Bags of 2 pounds and 25 pounds are available.
How Does Seabird Guano Get Collected?
Guano is gathered in the same manner it did centuries ago. With a team of employees scraping, filtering and bagging it manually. Every year, the government should choose roughly some men to serve as harvesters for eight months. Via a component of the Agriculture as well as Irrigation Ministry.
Is Seabird Guano Soluble In Water?
Yes, seabird guano is soluble in water. When filtered, seabird guano boosts beneficial microbial load in the soil. On the other hand, since it’s water-soluble, this produces a terrific tea or foliar spray.
Final Words
So, by now we think that you have gathered much knowledge about seabird guano vs bat guano.
Currently, the Peruvian minority population is given precedence and receives favorable pricing for authentic Guano. Only a tiny percentage is exported. Guano is sold in Germany as a flower. As well as garden fertilizer in combination with some other natural fertilizers.
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