Control Ornithology2009

Control Ornithology Control Ornithology Understanding the Situation Understanding the Situation

with Nuisance Birdswith Nuisance Birds

Utilizing the Solutions Utilizing the Solutions in Dealing with Nuisance Birdsin Dealing with Nuisance Birds

Flock Fighters USAFlock Fighters USAPO Box 6553PO Box 6553

Fort Wayne, IN 46896Fort Wayne, IN 46896(800) 489-0982(800) 489-0982

©© Copyright 2009 Copyright 2009

Why Birds Are a Why Birds Are a Problem?Problem?

Birds seek sites that accommodate their needs.Birds seek sites that accommodate their needs.

Roosting ▫ Life Support ▫ ReproductionRoosting ▫ Life Support ▫ Reproduction

Nuisance birds produce negative consequences in man-made Nuisance birds produce negative consequences in man-made sites.sites.

Bird populations and their effects are growing!Bird populations and their effects are growing!

Bird Behaviors DefinedBird Behaviors DefinedRoostingRoosting: :

Daily, with seasonal variations, birds will repeatedly visit a Daily, with seasonal variations, birds will repeatedly visit a particular site/perch for lounging and resting. particular site/perch for lounging and resting.

This visitation has nothing to do with feeding/breeding This visitation has nothing to do with feeding/breeding behaviors, but is usually periodic, i.e. the same time of day. behaviors, but is usually periodic, i.e. the same time of day.

This behavior is reinforced with each visit and has increased This behavior is reinforced with each visit and has increased intensity when it is communal.intensity when it is communal.

Bird Behaviors DefinedBird Behaviors DefinedNight Time RoostingNight Time Roosting::

Night time roosting is a specific behavior where birds return to Night time roosting is a specific behavior where birds return to ““The Roost”. The Roost”.

Same bird to the same feature; each night, for the whole night.Same bird to the same feature; each night, for the whole night.

Many birds can not see at night, thus they are driven to be in the Many birds can not see at night, thus they are driven to be in the roost at sunset.roost at sunset.

Night time roosting can produce significant problems in the site Night time roosting can produce significant problems in the site due to the repetitive behavior and the total numbers of birds due to the repetitive behavior and the total numbers of birds

associated to the site. associated to the site.

Night time roosting can be a major safety, hygiene and Night time roosting can be a major safety, hygiene and maintenance concern.maintenance concern.

Bird Behaviors DefinedBird Behaviors DefinedLife SupportLife Support: :

All birds harbor particular preferences/tolerances when All birds harbor particular preferences/tolerances when feeding/drinking. These preferences are based upon:feeding/drinking. These preferences are based upon:

ingrained species-specific behavioringrained species-specific behavior

the site’s parametersthe site’s parameters

any learned behaviorsany learned behaviors

The birds MUST work within these limitsThe birds MUST work within these limits..


Some situations provide opportunities for birds to access a Some situations provide opportunities for birds to access a site.site.

Sometimes the site’s character inhibits birds from Sometimes the site’s character inhibits birds from selecting it.selecting it.

Sometimes certain characteristics of the site create Sometimes certain characteristics of the site create enough enough

insecurity for the birds to not select it.insecurity for the birds to not select it.


Birds adjust their patterns based upon changes in the site Birds adjust their patterns based upon changes in the site due to climate, season or site dynamic and alterations. due to climate, season or site dynamic and alterations.

Every day, birds make value judgments and behave Every day, birds make value judgments and behave accordingly.accordingly.

Birds’ feeding/drinking/roosting behaviors can produce Birds’ feeding/drinking/roosting behaviors can produce huge financial costs to sites.huge financial costs to sites.

Bird Behaviors DefinedBird Behaviors DefinedReproductionReproduction::

The strongest behaviors for birds:The strongest behaviors for birds:

Courtship and breedingCourtship and breeding

Nest establishmentNest establishment

Brooding and rearing of young Brooding and rearing of young

Until eggs are hatched, the babies’ flight feathers are grown, Until eggs are hatched, the babies’ flight feathers are grown, and fledglings can fend for themselves, the parents are and fledglings can fend for themselves, the parents are

relentless in their site focus to produce progeny.relentless in their site focus to produce progeny.

Bird Behaviors DefinedBird Behaviors DefinedReproductionReproduction::

Species-Specific reproductive behavior is predetermined. Species-Specific reproductive behavior is predetermined.

There is very little latitude for variation. There is very little latitude for variation.

Again, the birds must work within these limitsAgain, the birds must work within these limits..

Sites with nesting populations can incur large Sites with nesting populations can incur large inconveniences, especially for communal nesting inconveniences, especially for communal nesting

bird species.bird species.

Three Facets Affecting Bird Three Facets Affecting Bird ActivityActivity

Birds always react to change and new inputs!Birds always make value judgments and choose accordingly.

.

How does each species of bird balance and blend the three facets?

Environmental

Physiological

Behavioral

Control OrnithologyControl OrnithologyUrban RealitiesUrban Realities::

- Birds have adapted to the urban environment.- Birds have adapted to the urban environment.

- Bird droppings are organic and produce slipping issues.- Bird droppings are organic and produce slipping issues.Manure composition is dependent on species and diet.Manure composition is dependent on species and diet.

- Birds vector disease for humans!- Birds vector disease for humans!Over 30 human diseases are harbored by pigeons, starlings Over 30 human diseases are harbored by pigeons, starlings and sparrows and can be transmitted directly with and sparrows and can be transmitted directly with droppings contact!droppings contact!

- Birds pollute buildings, landscapes and equipment!- Birds pollute buildings, landscapes and equipment!Bird droppings are acidic and are corrosive to metal, marble Bird droppings are acidic and are corrosive to metal, marble and limestone. Bird manure (and any pathogens) on and limestone. Bird manure (and any pathogens) on walkways can be carried on shoes into a building.walkways can be carried on shoes into a building.

Control OrnithologyControl OrnithologyIndustrial RealitiesIndustrial Realities::

Most industrial and commercial sites create habitat, which Most industrial and commercial sites create habitat, which cultivates bird focus and bird population growth. These sites cultivates bird focus and bird population growth. These sites concentrate and localize the negative, i.e. manure.concentrate and localize the negative, i.e. manure.

Some species of birds introduce nesting material can introduce Some species of birds introduce nesting material can introduce increased fire hazards. If birds place nests near or on energized increased fire hazards. If birds place nests near or on energized hardware, arcing and outages are the result.hardware, arcing and outages are the result.

Control OrnithologyControl OrnithologyIndustrial RealitiesIndustrial Realities::Bird excrement creates many problems, both in site and hygiene risks.Bird excrement creates many problems, both in site and hygiene risks.

Employee safety concerns, due to slippage, are created by the Employee safety concerns, due to slippage, are created by the organic content of the bird droppings, particularly in rainy locations. organic content of the bird droppings, particularly in rainy locations.

Bird manure (and any pathogens) on walkways are carried on shoes Bird manure (and any pathogens) on walkways are carried on shoes into buildings, thereby polluting areas with no birds present. into buildings, thereby polluting areas with no birds present.

Health and hygiene risks; both from pathogens and the dry manure, Health and hygiene risks; both from pathogens and the dry manure, which aggravates asthma and allergies, are real, constant and can which aggravates asthma and allergies, are real, constant and can grow with the deposits. grow with the deposits.

Maintenance/repair costs to structures and equipment polluted by Maintenance/repair costs to structures and equipment polluted by birds can be substantial. Bird droppings are acidic and corrosive to birds can be substantial. Bird droppings are acidic and corrosive to metal and limestone. Accumulated nitrogen in wood timbers creates metal and limestone. Accumulated nitrogen in wood timbers creates heighten fire hazards. heighten fire hazards.

Birds manure soils raw materials, finished products and warehoused Birds manure soils raw materials, finished products and warehoused supplies. supplies.

Slurries from liquid cleanup, power washing, can produce storm water Slurries from liquid cleanup, power washing, can produce storm water quality issues and produce environmental citations.quality issues and produce environmental citations.

Control OrnithologyControl OrnithologyAgriculture RealitiesAgriculture Realities::

- Birds cause crop losses and product damages!- Birds cause crop losses and product damages!What is the value of your lost crops due to birds?What is the value of your lost crops due to birds?

100 small birds consume 50+lbs of berries a day!100 small birds consume 50+lbs of berries a day!100 pigeons - 500 black birds can eat a ton of corn a month.100 pigeons - 500 black birds can eat a ton of corn a month.

- Birds produce filth in buildings and on equipment!- Birds produce filth in buildings and on equipment!Bird droppings are corrosive to metal and accumulated Bird droppings are corrosive to metal and accumulated nitrogen. In timbers it creates heightened fire hazards.nitrogen. In timbers it creates heightened fire hazards.

- Birds vector disease for animals and humans!- Birds vector disease for animals and humans!The #1 vectored bovine disease, the most common source The #1 vectored bovine disease, the most common source of reduced milk production and calf death, is solely bird of reduced milk production and calf death, is solely bird vectored.vectored.Many mosquito borne diseases are harbored in local birds.Many mosquito borne diseases are harbored in local birds.

Control OrnithologyControl Ornithology

There is an avian revolution in America, and in many places, the There is an avian revolution in America, and in many places, the birds are winning!birds are winning!

In response to the adverse consequences birds can bring to sites, In response to the adverse consequences birds can bring to sites, bird control services and products have become a substantial bird control services and products have become a substantial

industry in North America.industry in North America.

Nuisance Bird control has become a requirement, butNuisance Bird control has become a requirement, but

How is nuisance bird control implemented?How is nuisance bird control implemented?


There are only two types of bird control:There are only two types of bird control: LethalLethal : : Non-lethalNon-lethal

LethalLethal control is predation. control is predation. Society today frowns on lethal control, and usually prohibits Society today frowns on lethal control, and usually prohibits its implementation - In fact, only 5 species of birds can be its implementation - In fact, only 5 species of birds can be killed without federal permits.killed without federal permits.

Non-lethalNon-lethal control affects the bird without mortality. control affects the bird without mortality. It introduces “change” which impacts bird behavior.It introduces “change” which impacts bird behavior.

Control OrnithologyControl OrnithologyNon-Lethal ControlNon-Lethal Control takes two general forms: takes two general forms:

ExclusionExclusion : : AversionAversion

ExclusionExclusion is the creation of a barrier to prohibit site usage.is the creation of a barrier to prohibit site usage.Exclusion alters the site/feature to make it less attractive or Exclusion alters the site/feature to make it less attractive or

insulated from the bird usage.insulated from the bird usage.Anything which inhibits the birds from utilizing a feature is Anything which inhibits the birds from utilizing a feature is

exclusion: netting, spikes, wires, shock track, cavity fillers, exclusion: netting, spikes, wires, shock track, cavity fillers, caulks.caulks.

AversionAversion is the practice of using a negative medium to alter is the practice of using a negative medium to alter behavior.behavior.

Aversion ‘attacks’ the bird, or a specific behavior, to change the Aversion ‘attacks’ the bird, or a specific behavior, to change the desire for a specific feature; the bird then modifies the desire for a specific feature; the bird then modifies the targeted behavior. targeted behavior.

All noise, visual, and chemical products are aversion.All noise, visual, and chemical products are aversion.

Control OrnithologyControl OrnithologyNuisance Bird Aversion Strategies fall into three Nuisance Bird Aversion Strategies fall into three

categories.categories.

Visual AversionVisual Aversion:: The Scarecrow TechnologyThe Scarecrow TechnologyPredator figures, Balloons, Mylar tapePredator figures, Balloons, Mylar tape

New visual stimulus to the environment causes the bird to ‘fright New visual stimulus to the environment causes the bird to ‘fright flight’; an ingrained response to anything new, but flight’; an ingrained response to anything new, but resistance resistance alwaysalways follows! follows! The birds The birds learnlearn there is no threat and ignore it. there is no threat and ignore it.

Noise AversionNoise Aversion:: Pots and Pans TechnologyPots and Pans TechnologyScreech machines, Cannons, Horns, Pyrotechnics,Screech machines, Cannons, Horns, Pyrotechnics,

Noise, in various forms, creates confusion and the birds choose to Noise, in various forms, creates confusion and the birds choose to leave a site initially, but leave a site initially, but resistance resistance alwaysalways develops. develops.

Chemical AversionChemical Aversion:: Smells and Tastes TechnologySmells and Tastes Technology Scented Oils, Methyl AnthranilateScented Oils, Methyl Anthranilate

Repellents affect the bird physiologically, creating discomfort. The Repellents affect the bird physiologically, creating discomfort. The birds learn that the site is uncomfortable and choose to evacuate.birds learn that the site is uncomfortable and choose to evacuate.

They do not develop resistance.They do not develop resistance.

Control OrnithologyControl OrnithologyBirds are in every eco-system in our world!

In the natural context, every bird species adds beauty

interestrichness

to landscapes and community settings.

Every bird fits into an environmental strata and contributes to both

bio-diversity the overall mechanism

of its micro-environment context and continuation.


Exotic (non-native) birds: Pigeons

StarlingsEnglish Sparrows

Monk Parakeets Muscovy Ducks

are no different, they fit within a specific environmental niche.

However, the growth of acceptable habitat (urbanization) and the lack of natural predation creates a population explosion, with all its consequences.


Some native birds create issues too: Canada Geese

CootsRavens

Crows Grackles

Vultures Seagulls

all have adapted to man-made sites.

Their population growth creates negative issues for the human populations, who constructed and now utilize the sites.


As with other vertebrate pests, nuisance birds can produce

significant direct and indirect costs real risk, both short and long term

which makes control a requirement, rather than an option.

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

or CONCERNS?or CONCERNS?

If you have questions about your site…If you have questions about “your” birds…

If you have questions about your control options…

Flock Fighters USA is available to answer them.

We have expelled more birds than any other applicator, and we supply products and services around the world.

We would be happy to discuss the requirements of your site.

Flock Fighters USA Fort Flock Fighters USA Fort Wayne, IndianaWayne, Indianawww.flockfighters.com 800.489.6651

© Copyright 2009© Copyright 2009


Control Ornithology2009

Documents

species of birds

bird activity birds

small birds

birds present

bird behaviors

bird manure

bird droppings

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