Absolutely. Birds lighten the load for takeoff. As a kid I remember many small songbirds nesting in the (large, country) back yard, and a pre-launch ejection wa

Absolutely. Birds lighten the load for takeoff. As a kid I remember many small songbirds nesting in the (large, country) back yard, and a pre-launch ejection was almost guaranteed. Avian digestive tracts are simple and not particularly efficient, for the sake of weight.