Expert: Roger Lederer - 1/24/2009

Question
QUESTION: Is there any way to keep ducks from landing at our bird feeder? There now seem to be well over one hundred that come at the same time every day. This just started with the exception of 4 or so that came regularly. We have an owl now on the property who is killing them, thus the concern. Please help...and yes, we removed the feeder. I worry about them circling and epending much needed enery while we stand out there to keep them from landing, but it's cold here in Maine. Should we let them land to see that there is no food, or try to keep them from landing at all?

ANSWER: Well, this is an interesting question. I frankly have never heard of ducks feeding at a typical bird feeder. Yours must be different in some way to attract wild ducks. If you removed the feeder, I wonder why you are standing out there keeping them from landing.  If you try to keep them from landing, they don't know that the food is gone, so let them land and see for themselves. If the food and feeder are gone, just ignore the ducks and they will find someplace else to go. As will the owl.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Because they kept landing after we removed the feeder, we didn't want them to land so the owl wouldn't get one. Like I said, it started with a few at the ground feeder, just in the last few days swarms of them are landing, and they never got any food in the first place, they just seem to be following. Would it be easier to try and get rid of the owl?
He attacks as they are landing, doesn't kill right away, just bites at them, while his talons are in them holding them down, then he leaves the body here.

Answer
The best thing to do is let nature take its course. The ducks won't hang around long if the owl is preying on them. It is illegal (federal law) to harass or harm any bird, so I recommend that you do not do anything to chase the owl away. Owls have to eat, too, and there are many more ducks than owls.
On a broader note, predators like snakes, owls, hawks, eagles, coyotes, are doing what they need to do to survive. We humans can't decide, in most cases, which should be protected and which not. In those cases where you think it might be a problem, contact your local fish and game or fish and wildlife official for advice and help.