A bird dropping on the shoulder of your jacket is unpleasant, and the first instinct is to wipe it away at once. That is exactly the wrong move, because rubbing smears the mess and pushes it into the weave. The best approach is patience: let it dry a little, lift off what you can, and then treat what remains with care. Done this way, the jacket usually comes out as good as new.
If you are out and about, use a tissue to lift away as much as you can without pressing. Dab, do not wipe. If it is wet, let a paper napkin soak up the excess. Once you are home, wait for the remainder to dry, since a dry dropping is much easier to flake off than a wet one. Gently brush it away with a soft brush or the edge of a card.
Treating the stain
What is left can be treated with a damp cloth and a small amount of mild soap. Work from the outside of the mark inwards, dabbing rather than rubbing, so that it does not spread. Rinse the cloth often and use a clean part each time. Test the soap on a hidden area, such as an inside seam, in case it changes the colour of the fabric.
For waterproof or waxed jackets, check the care label before using water. Waxed jackets should only be wiped with a damp cloth and no soap, while modern waterproof fabrics usually tolerate gentle cleaning. Never use bleach or a strong stain remover on the jacket, because it can strip the water-repellent finish and leave a pale patch that is far more noticeable than the original mark.
Let the jacket dry naturally on a hanger, away from direct heat. If a faint mark remains, repeat the gentle treatment rather than scrubbing. Should the stain be on a delicate or valuable coat, a specialist cleaner will know what to do. Remember, a little patience is all it takes, and the jacket will look as good as it did before the bird flew past.
