Americans spend about $5 billion per year on backyard birding, so it’s safe to say we love watching birds at our feeders. But not every bird that shows up is a welcome guest. Some species bully other birds, steal food from feeders, destroy gardens, and even kick other birds out of their nests. If you’ve noticed certain birds causing problems in your yard, you’re not alone. Here are the worst offenders and what you can do about them.
Brown-headed cowbirds lay their eggs in other nests
Have you ever heard of a bird that refuses to raise its own babies? Brown-headed cowbirds are brood parasites, which means they sneak their eggs into other birds’ nests. When the host bird leaves to find food, the cowbird swoops in and deposits an egg. Even worse, they often destroy one of the existing eggs to make room for their own. The unsuspecting parent bird returns and has no idea it’s been tricked into becoming a foster parent.
This behavior is detrimental to other species because cowbird babies are usually bigger and stronger than the other nestlings. They hog all the food, causing the smaller birds to starve. If you spot these brown and black birds in your yard, try switching to tube feeders that make it hard for larger birds to access food. Avoid filling feeders with sunflower seeds and millet, which are cowbird favorites. Safflower seeds or whole peanuts are better choices that these unwanted visitors tend to ignore.
European starlings cause millions in damage yearly
Those beautiful murmurations of birds dancing in the sky at dusk might look magical, but European starlings are actually one of the most hated birds in America. They’re not even from here. All 220 million starlings in the U.S. today descended from about 100 birds released in Central Park in the 1890s. A single flock can contain up to 50,000 birds, and when they land, things get ugly fast. They cause about $800 million in damage to farms each year.
In residential areas, starlings will cover everything in massive amounts of droppings. They also compete with native birds like woodpeckers and bluebirds for nesting sites. To discourage them, avoid hanging suet feeders, which attract starlings. Use birdhouses with entrance holes smaller than 1½ inches. If they’re nesting near your home, try hanging mylar balloons nearby. The shininess and unpredictable movement can force them to look elsewhere. Standard decoys won’t work on these persistent birds.
House sparrows push native birds out of nests
You don’t have to be big to be a bully, and house sparrows prove that every day. These small birds were introduced to the United States in the 1800s, and today they’re one of the most common birds you’ll see. They show up anywhere there are buildings, and they aggressively compete with native species for food and nesting spots. Many people consider them a nuisance because they push native birds right out of their nesting boxes.
If house sparrows have taken over your feeders, try switching to foods they don’t like. Nyjer seed feeders may be too small for them to use. Plain suet without embedded seeds can also help, since the sparrows are really after the seeds. For nesting boxes, try structures designed for specific species. Chickadees and wrens use boxes with smaller entrances that house sparrows can’t fit through. If nothing works, take all feeders down for two weeks, then reintroduce them one at a time.
Common grackles empty feeders before others get a chance
Ever fill your bird feeder only to find it empty an hour later? Common grackles might be the culprits. These large blackbirds are stunning to look at, with shimmering deep reds, purples, and blues in their feathers. But they nest in colonies that can exceed 100 birds. So if you see a few at your feeder, there are plenty more waiting in the trees nearby. They have huge appetites and can clean out a feeder before songbirds even get a turn.
Grackles will also destroy gardens. They eat citrus fruit, melons, tomatoes, corn, sunflowers, and peanuts. They’re not picky at all. According to birding experts, cage-style feeders work best against grackles. The openings allow smaller birds like bluebirds to get through while blocking larger birds. You can also try safflower seeds, which grackles don’t seem to like. Keep the ground around your feeders clean since grackles are ground feeders and will happily eat anything that spills.
Blue jays scare away smaller birds aggressively
Blue jays get a lot of attention because of their bright color, but many avid birders aren’t fans. These birds are extremely territorial and aggressive. They’re known to force other birds away from feeders, and they sometimes eat eggs and nestlings from other birds’ nests. They can be incredibly loud, using their harsh calls to drive other birds away. And because they’re highly intelligent, they can easily outsmart other birds at your feeders.
If you want to keep blue jays away but still feed other birds, try switching up your seed selection. Jays dislike nyjer thistle seeds, but finches love them. You could also designate a separate spot in your yard just for the jays, filling it with peanuts and sunflower seeds. Use a hopper feeder for the jays and caged feeders for other birds. Owl decoys and reflective surfaces can help startle them away, and loud wind chimes might beat them at their own noise game.
Red-winged blackbirds attack anything near their territory
If you spend time outdoors in late spring or early summer, you’ve probably been squawked at by a male red-winged blackbird. These birds don’t care about size when defending their territory. Even humans and horses aren’t safe from their threatening behavior. Male red-winged blackbirds spend up to a quarter of their daylight hours defending their turf. If one starts swooping at you, just move quickly through or away from the area.
At feeders, red-winged blackbirds can be just as problematic, crowding out other birds aggressively. To discourage them, avoid using seed mixes, which attract more nuisance birds than the ones you want to see. Striped sunflower seed and safflower seed have thick shells that are harder for them to crack open. Using tube feeders instead of platform feeders also makes it more difficult for these larger birds to access the food, giving smaller songbirds a better chance.
Canada geese leave pounds of droppings every day
A flock of Canada geese flying overhead in their classic V-shape is a beautiful sight. But when that same flock lands in your yard, the beauty disappears quickly. Each goose can leave as much as 4 pounds of droppings per day, and that waste contains bacteria and parasites that can be harmful. Flocks can contain up to 100 geese, and some males weigh close to 20 pounds. That’s a lot of mess to deal with.
These birds are also aggressive when protecting their goslings. They don’t just puff up to look big. They will charge, chase, and bite. Canada geese will also kill your grass by overgrazing. One simple solution is to use solar-powered flashing amber lights from a company called Away With Geese. The lights are barely noticeable to humans but agitate the geese enough that they won’t want to stay. If geese become a regular problem, acting quickly is important because they return to the same spots year after year.
Gulls nest in one spot for decades
Think seagulls only live near the beach? Think again. Gulls regularly fly more than 50 miles inland looking for food. They’ve been found living in landlocked countries like Belarus. If your suburban neighborhood has become a gull hangout, it’s probably because of your garbage habits. These extremely vocal birds are professional opportunists who can live for 40 years. Worse, they return to the same location again and again to breed.
If gulls decide your property is a good nesting site, you need to act fast. Start by paying attention to garbage disposal. Tie bags tightly and keep them in lidded cans. You might even need to lock or tie down the lids. For birds perching on your roof or chimney, try installing anti-bird spikes, netting, or parallel wires. If they still won’t leave, get loud with noises that will drive them off. Rotating blades that spin in the wind or strobe lights can also work.
Cooper’s hawks hunt the songbirds you want to attract
For some people, seeing a hawk in the backyard is exciting. But if you love watching songbirds, a Cooper’s hawk is bad news. These birds of prey feed primarily on smaller birds like flickers, robins, and jays. Like cats, Cooper’s hawks are stealthy predators that sit quietly and wait to pounce. If one moves into your backyard, you’ll witness a very different kind of bird feeding than what you had in mind.
Although they’re native to forests, more hawks now appear in suburban and urban areas. The simple fix, if you want to protect your songbirds, is to remove your feeders for a short time. The smaller birds may go hungry briefly, but the hawks will lose interest and take their hunting elsewhere. Once the hawk moves on, you can put your feeders back up. This temporary solution is often enough to break the hawk’s interest in your yard.
Dealing with nuisance birds takes patience, but the right strategies make a difference. The key is knowing which foods attract which birds and choosing feeders that work in your favor. Whether you’re battling cowbirds, starlings, or aggressive jays, small changes to your setup can help the birds you love get the food and shelter they need. With a little effort, your backyard can become a peaceful spot for the birds that truly deserve to be there.
