"Look up! It's a bird.....It's a plane......It's The Peregrine Falcon!" Sounds familiar doesn't it? Superman was a fictitious character, as was Humphrey Bogart in the Maltese Falcon, and although very popular and very entertaining, was no match for a real, super bird called the Peregrine Falcon. This creature is one of the most powerful and fast-flying bird there is. The Peregrine Falcon probably has one of the longest migrations of any bird in North America. Covering as much as 15,500 miles in one year over two different continents, spanning North and South America, hence the meaning of the falcon's name, "wanderer" or the scientific name of "falco pereginus."
Sound deterrents are used to scare birds away with loud sounds. These are usually predator calls and distress calls played in short intervals. The sounds trigger the birds instincts to danger and they will go away. Be sure to get a sonic sound unit that is water proof and easy to program. You should be able to choose your target bird; pigeon, sparrow, crow or what ever bird you are having a problem with. The unit will play a species specific distress call and predator calls that will scare the birds. There are also units that are made specifically for pest geese.
Physical bird deterrents are those that keep pest birds from landing and roosting. These include bird spikes, bird netting, bird repellers and others. Bird Spikes are an easy to use and economical way to keep birds like pigeons and
seagulls off you're your home. You simply screw or glue them to the edges and peaks of your roof to keep them off. They also work well on patio covers, fences and other flat surfaces that birds are an issue. Bird netting is used to exclude pest birds from areas such as under the eaves of your home. You can install bird netting at an angle from the roof edge to the side of your home to protect it from swallows and woodpeckers. Netting is also used to protect bushes such as blueberries. There are also bird repellers available. These units "sweep" birds away with rotating "arms". They are usually solar powered with rechargeable batteries to run during dark times. The repellers are ideal to keep pest pigeons and larger birds off of patio furniture, patio covers, even boats and docks.
Physical bird barriers are used to keep pest birds from landing and roosting on flat surfaces such as ledges, window sills, parapet walls, channel letters and other surfaces you do not want birds. This type of bird barrier keeps pest birds away by creating a physical deterrent; they can not land on or enter the area protected. Physical bird barriers include bird spikes, electric shock systems, bird netting and bird spring wires.
If you do not have or do not wish to have a big messy bramble in your yard, set up a good cardinal feeder close to any kind of vegetative cover. It can be as simple as a large bush or close to a grove of trees. Any type of cover will attract and hold cardinals. The more there is, the dense it is, the messier it is, the better. As in my own case, there is nothing more picturesque than the bramble covered in fresh snow dotted with the beauty of our ever loved Red Birds. Seek good cover for your bird feeder and the cardinals will follow soon. Electric shock systems are extremely low profile bird barriers that will work with all pest birds. These systems give the birds a slight shock or "jolt" that quickly changes their habits and desire to land in the area protected.
More Information and Articles:
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Falconry As A Method To Get Rid of Pigeons-
Bird Repellent The Best Way to Exterminate Pigeons?-
Spikes to Effectively Control Pest PigeonsAs we have seen in part, with the aide of man the peregrine falcon almost became extinct and with the aide of man the peregrine falcon has made a tremendous comeback. Let us all be aware and continue to be part of the solution in taking part in the preservation of this "Teflon" survivor. Watch them soar, watch them hunt, watch them perch in their natural habitats. The history of this falcon is one you can share with your children and grandchildren for ages to come.