Birding/scaring away birds

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Expert: - 4/13/2006


Question
I have a covered deck and have sparrows that fly underneath it to sleep, get out of the rain etc. The question I have is are there any methods I can use to keep the birds from wanting to hang out under the roof? If you know of any ideas to scare these birds away that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.  

Answer
There are several things you can do. The best is to simply block the access -I'm not sure how you can do that - plastic sheeting or whatever, but that would be best. If that is not possible, try hanging mobiles, tinsel, plastic flags, strips of mylar, etc. so they blow in the wind. In any case, they will eventually leave, so this is only a temporary problem. See www.ornithology.com for additional information on wild birds. Roger Lederer

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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