Guano

Guano is the excrement of bats and birds. This excrement is exceptionally high in nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium, three nutrients which are essential for plant growth. Therefore, it is often used as fertilizer, to make plants grow more quickly.

Guano Media

Bird Island, Walvis Bay (Namibia).jpg

Man-made Guano Island near Walvis Bay in Namibia
Leucocarbo bougainvillii qtl2.jpg

The guanay cormorant has historically been the most important producer of guano.
Mexican free-tailed bat (8006856842).jpg

Insectivorous bats, such as this Mexican free-tailed bat, have historically been the most important producers of bat guano.
Raw-Bat-Guano.jpg

Insectivorous bat excrement is primarily made up of insect bits and pieces.
Microscopic Photos of Chitin.jpg

Bat guano under a microscope reveals tiny particles of insect exoskeletons, which are mostly chitin.
Chincha guano islands.JPG

Chincha Islands where guano was found in abundance. Mining was done on site and ships transported it to Europe.
Guano advertisement 1884.jpg

Advertisement for guano, 1884
GuanoPoint.jpg

Aerial view of Guano Point. Old tramway headhouse is at the end of dirt road (right). Second tramway tower is more clearly visible, on skyline to right. Bat Cave mine is 760 m (2,500 ft) below, across the canyon.
Guano cart.jpg

Workers load guano onto a cart in 1865