A notice about "bird repellent"

[MisterP]

You know that gummy, sticky stuff people put out to repel birds? I humbly request users to discontinue its use. The theory is that, I dunno, the pigeons get scared and tell their bird friends about it, and they leave the yard alone; that is an unlikely situation, so it is useless. Moreover, it is rather bad for the birds: it generally won't dissolve in water if dried, and gums up their wings.
I say all this because we rescued, some time ago, a juvenile night heron that had to be put down because of rotting-fat disease. It had also been unable to fish effectively and fly because its wings were gummed up with bird repellent--its hunger may have left it vulnerable to the yellow-fat disease. Its wings were in a bad shape, all packed together at the ends; we almost pulled some tendons gettings the wings apart, that's how sticky the bird repellent is.
Thank you for your time (and I'd be happy to answer seabird questions, if you feel like it).

[Lefta Dissenter]

1. you mean "Tanglefoot?"

I can't imagine anyone using that would think of it as a 'repellent.' It's obviously a sticky trap. :shrug:

HOWEVER!!!, there is one good use for Tanglefoot - that's to coat the edges of political yard signs that you don't want stolen. Worked for us! We were careful, though, not to put the tanglefoot at the top edge of the signs, where little birds might perch.

FYI, Tanglefoot is made in varying strengths, including one that is strong enough to hold a human being. Imagine putting THAT on my signs! :evilgrin:

[Ian David]

2. Repelling birds and squirrels

I've heard somewhere that if you hang Compact Disks from strings, it keeps birds and squirrels away.

You can get all the Compact Disks you can carry-- for free-- at The Post Office, computer stores, Walmart, and many supermarkets. Just look for the big yellow box labeled "America OnLine."

[PatriotGames]

3. Is that why you see people hang them from their car mirrors? LOL

[soothsayer]

10. oh, you mean my coasters

[PatriotGames]

4. I love birds and can't understand why people try to get rid of them.

[Kali]

5. well to be honest

we had a pigeon show up about a month ago and thought that was kind of strange (on a ranch 15 miles from town) but figured what the heck and it hung around and cleans up after our macaw who is a total slob. Well after about two weeks another one showed up. And now there are 5. They leave a pretty good pile of "soil enhancer" below where they roost and are starting to get kind of aggressive with the macaw - like not waiting for him to finish before they bully/crowd him away from his dish. So the thoughts are beginning to surface: how to "move" these guys along to some other location.

[MisterP]

6. try netting them and putting them in VariKennels

drop them off near a park- or campground so they get enough handouts to not return. Or put them in a cage as additional pets (Christmas present to a reputable person, anyone?). Don't worry about their bites, they're pretty ineffectual (though I'd advise washing any that pierced the skin).

[Kali]

8. eh

figure I'll feed the macaw inside for a couple weeks (its pretty cold in the morning anyway - even though that's what he wants - out at the crack of day!) and hopefully they will move on. Of course we have chickens too - they may find their food next.

Ha - I have a MACAW you think I'm worried about pigeon bites? heh heh


Maybe I need a recipe for squab.

[amazona]

12. are you serious ?

I can't imagine any species of pigeon that could intimidate a macaw, even if he brought along 4 of his buddies. Seems to me a nip or two from the macaw would be all that is needed to keep the pigeons away from the bowl?

[Kali]

16. Ever since the Rooster beat the crap out of him he seems a little

intimidated by other birds - especially if they are in a mob.

On the other hand he has no fear of getting down and keeping three dogs away from their food, or even chasing off cattle and horses from theirs! (very jealous of other animals)

[PatriotGames]

14. I've found that a large plastic owl will keep most birds away.

As long it is realistic looking and has the correct shape.

[Ian David]

11. Getting rid of birds

If you own cats, it can be for the bird's own good.

If you have a vegitable garden, it protects your food.

If you don't want birdpoop on your car.

If (like me) you have dogs that bark wildly every time a bird or squirrel shows up.

If you have a sadistic streak and want to put out a birdfeeder and scare them away at the same time, so you can watch them salivating with hunger all winter.

[PatriotGames]

13. I just like to watch them. Their behavior is interesting.

BTW, I hate bird poo on my car so I keep my car in the garage. LOL

[Aiptasia]

7. better than what they do here..

Which is to put out poison laced feed. I adopted two baby squirrels when I was in college when our dean decided to get rid of the pidgeon population.

Luckily I found homes for the little guys, but people really don't consider the consequences for their actions sometimes.

Seagulls are the worst poopers here, and they're protected by law. I've found that rubber snakes work well to get rid of most birds, including woodpeckers hell bent on distroying my house.

However, if you want to have an amazing experience at the beach, bring a loaf of stale bread along. It never ceases to amaze me, hand feeding about 200 seagulls while in flight just inches from your hand.

[Kali]

9. dog food

sails through the air better. Love to feed gulls. And watch pterodactyls, oh I mean pelicans fly along the shore.

[PatriotGames]

15. Posion-laced food has a huge impact on lamost all wildlife

that is near it. Also, plants can be affected by it too.