Birding/house sparrows

Advertisement

Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 5/29/2008


Question
I have a pair of house sparrows that keep building  a nest under our carport.
because they had babies, we left the nest alone, then took it down after the babies moved out.. this has been going on for a few years.. and I think they are the same birds.
Now that there young has left the building, I once again took down the nest.. and they are trying to build it back again.
I am ready to put a stop to this once and for all.. We bought moth balls, plastic snakes. and nothing seems to be working. Please how do we get them out for good?

Answer
I am sorry to be blunt, but I must be truthful. By letting the babies fledge you let killers out into the bird world. The killer house sparrows (not really a sparrow but an alien weaver finch from Europe with a heavy bill that our domestic birds have no defense for) harass and kill some 70 species of our domestic birds. They also burn down houses by building nests around light fixtures, etc. They are the rats of the bird world, like starlings are not protected, and should be killed every chance that you get. If you will send your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net I will send you a free 20 page Bluebird book that will give you a lot more of this important story.

Birding

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Bluebird Bob Walshaw

Expertise

I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.

Experience

I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.

Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance

Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World

Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.

Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.

Past/Present Clients
Many

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.