Think all birds are harmless, delightful visitors to your yard? Think again! There’s one feathered fiend that can quickly turn your backyard paradise into a nightmare. Get ready to uncover the surprising bird species you should avoid at all costs and learn proven strategies to send them packing.
1. House Sparrows: Aggressive Invaders
Don’t let their cute appearance fool you – house sparrows are invasive pests that spell trouble for your yard. Introduced to North America in the 1850s, these prolific breeders multiply rapidly and aggressively compete with native birds for nesting sites. House sparrows will ruthlessly destroy eggs, kill nestlings, and even attack incubating females to take over prime real estate.
To discourage house sparrows from moving in, use nest boxes with entry holes no larger than 1.25 inches. Opt for feeders that serve black oil sunflower seeds, a favorite of native birds but less appealing to house sparrows. As a last resort, remove any house sparrow nests and eggs you find to prevent them from establishing a foothold in your yard.
If house sparrows persist, consider setting up “dummy” nest boxes to distract them from the real thing. You can also try trapping and relocating the birds, but be aware this may simply transfer the problem elsewhere. Consult resources like the Cornell Lab’s Nest Watch program for guidance on managing house sparrow populations responsibly.
Left unchecked, house sparrows will bully native birds and take over your yard’s prime nesting spots. Stay vigilant and use a combination of preventive measures to keep these aggressive invaders at bay. Your backyard’s delicate ecosystem depends on it!
2. European Starlings: Messy Mayhem
European starlings are another non-native nuisance known for descending on yards in massive, noisy flocks. These birds have an insatiable appetite, devouring crops, garden produce, and backyard feeder fare with abandon. Starlings are also infamous for their unsightly droppings that can coat decks, cars, and sidewalks.
Starlings are tough to deter, as decoys and audible recordings have limited effect. Your best bet is to block off potential nesting sites like vents, eaves, and holes in buildings. Install bird netting or hardware cloth over vulnerable areas to prevent starlings from moving in and making themselves at home.
Keep starlings from overtaking your feeders by opting for upside-down suet feeders or ones enclosed in wire mesh. Starlings are less agile than smaller birds and may have trouble navigating these obstacles. Avoid serving foods starlings favor, like cracked corn, bread, and table scraps.
In addition to damaging property and dominating food sources, starlings can spread disease and parasites to both humans and animals. Act quickly to block access and remove easy food sources at the first sign of these disruptive birds in your yard.
3. Pigeons: Pesky Poopers
Pigeons may seem harmless, but these urban dwellers can bring a host of headaches to your property. Pigeon droppings are not only unsightly, but can also corrode metals, damage paint, and clog gutters. Even more concerning, pigeons carry diseases like histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and salmonella that can spread to humans.
Installing anti-bird spikes or coils along ledges, railings, and roof lines can deter pigeons from landing and roosting on your home. Motion-activated sprinklers, laser deterrents, and ultrasonic devices can also persuade pigeons to steer clear. For a natural solution, consider enlisting the help of predatory birds like hawks or falcons to patrol your property.
Make your yard less enticing to pigeons by keeping outdoor dining areas clean and storing trash in secured containers. Avoid feeding pigeons, as this will only attract more of their friends to the buffet. If you spot pigeon nests on your property, remove them promptly before they can lay eggs and start a new generation of pests.
Left to their own devices, pigeons can quickly turn your backyard into a disease-ridden, poop-covered mess. Stay proactive by making your home inhospitable to these persistent pests, and you’ll enjoy a cleaner, healthier outdoor space.
4. Woodpeckers: Destructive Drummers
That incessant drumming sound driving you crazy? Chances are, you’ve got a woodpecker problem. These industrious birds peck at trees, utility poles, and even houses in search of insects or to create nesting cavities. Woodpecker damage can be extensive, leaving behind unsightly holes and compromising the structural integrity of wood.
Hang shiny, reflective objects like strips of mylar or old CDs near woodpecker damage to startle the birds and make them think twice about returning. Covering affected areas with netting or hardware cloth can also deter woodpeckers from accessing their favorite pecking spots.
Consider installing a “sacrificial” post or board away from your house to give woodpeckers an appealing alternative drumming site. Dead tree limbs or logs attached to a fence or mounted in a far corner of your yard can lure woodpeckers away from your siding or deck. Just be prepared for some noise as they happily hammer away!
While woodpecker damage can be frustrating, it’s important to remember that these birds are beneficial, consuming many insects that would otherwise harm your plants. Avoid lethal control methods and focus on deterrents and distraction techniques to coexist peacefully with your woodpecker neighbors.
5. Canada Geese: Lawn Destroyers
Those majestic Canada geese may look picture-perfect gliding across a pond, but when they decide to make your yard their personal restroom, the charm quickly fades. Canada geese leave behind copious droppings that can turn lawns into unsightly, slippery minefields. Goose poop can also harbor harmful bacteria like E. coli and salmonella.
Create a barrier around your property using fencing, hedges, or tall grasses to deter geese from waddling in and making themselves at home. Geese prefer open, grassy areas near water, so reducing lawn size and allowing vegetation to grow tall along shorelines can make your yard less attractive. Scare tactics like decoys, flashing lights, and noisemakers can also persuade geese to move along.
If geese insist on frequenting your yard, try a safe, non-toxic goose repellent spray to make your grass less palatable. Reapply repellents after heavy rains or mowing to maintain effectiveness. Be prepared to clean up goose droppings regularly to keep your lawn clean and disease-free.
Remember, it’s illegal to harm or kill Canada geese without a permit, as they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Focus on making your property less hospitable and the geese will likely find another place to leave their messy calling cards.
6. Crows: Cunning Crop Killers
Crows may be highly intelligent, but that cleverness can spell disaster for your garden. These savvy birds can quickly decimate crops, tearing through corn, melons, nuts, and more with their sharp beaks. Crows are also known to harass smaller birds, raid nests for eggs, and pick through trash and compost piles.
To keep crows from wreaking havoc in your yard, employ a variety of scare tactics like hanging reflective bird diverters, using motion-activated sprinklers, or enlisting the help of predator decoys like owls or hawks. Crows are wary of new, unfamiliar objects, so rotate your deterrents regularly for maximum effect.
Protect vulnerable crops by draping them with bird netting or row covers until they’re ready for harvest. Avoid leaving pet food or unsecured garbage outside, as these easy meals will only encourage crows to keep coming back for more. If crows become a persistent problem, consider using taste aversion products designed to make your plants unappetizing.
While crows can be a nuisance, they also offer benefits like eating insect pests and cleaning up carrion. Aim to strike a balance by deterring crows from your most sensitive areas while appreciating their role in the ecosystem. With a little patience and creativity, you can outsmart these brilliant birds and keep your yard from turning into a crow’s buffet.
7. Grackles & Blackbirds: Bully Birds
Grackles and blackbirds may not be the biggest birds on the block, but what they lack in size they make up for in attitude. These bold, aggressive birds are known for descending on feeders in large flocks, gobbling up seed and chasing away smaller songbirds. Grackles, in particular, have a reputation for killing nestlings and destroying eggs of other birds.
To prevent grackles and blackbirds from dominating your feeders, opt for styles that cater to smaller birds like tube feeders with short perches or caged feeders that exclude larger birds. Avoid serving cracked corn, sunflower seeds, or millet, which are grackle and blackbird favorites. Instead, try safflower seeds or nyjer seed which are less appealing to these bully birds.
Grackles and blackbirds are intelligent and resourceful, so you may need to rotate deterrents to keep them on their toes. Try hanging visual repellents like reflective streamers or predator decoys near your feeders. If the birds persist, consider taking your feeders down for a few days to encourage the flock to disperse.
While it’s impossible to eliminate grackles and blackbirds entirely, you can take steps to minimize their impact on your backyard bird community. By making your feeders less enticing and employing scare tactics, you’ll give smaller songbirds a fighting chance to enjoy the buffet, too.
So, there you have it – the seven birds most likely to wreak havoc in your yard, and the strategies you need to keep them in check. While some of these feathered foes may seem daunting, remember that with a little knowledge and perseverance, you can protect your outdoor oasis and enjoy a peaceful, thriving backyard habitat. Happy birding!
