Preventing Conflicts With Starlings
The starling’s long association with humans has strengthened its adaptive characteristics. Because these birds congregate in large numbers and aggressively search out food sources and nest sites in and around buildings, they can come into conflict with people.
The following are suggestions on how to prevent and remedy conflicts that arise. In cases where these methods are not practical, contact the Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services for more information.
Starlings can be prevented from roosting on a building ledge by securing sheet metal, wood, Styrofoam blocks, or other materials at a 60-degree angle. The undersides of rafters can be covered with bird netting to prevent starlings from gaining access to roosting spots.Starlings nesting in buildings: Starlings are adept at establishing nest sites in nooks or crannies in buildings. Nesting activity can damage buildings, create fire hazards, and clog gutters and drainpipes, causing water damage.
Prevent starlings from nesting or roosting in structures by installing barriers and sealing all potential points of entry. Although starlings have difficulty entering holes smaller than 1½ inch in diameter, house sparrows, bats and other small mammals can slip right in. Use wood, ¼-inch hardware cloth, aluminum flashing, or similar sturdy material. Light material, such as bird netting or rags, will not keep determined starlings out. Replace any loose shingles or siding, and repair broken windows.
Install commercially available vent guards to prevent starlings from entering exhaust vents and dryer vents. If necessary, cover the ends of elevated drainpipes with ¼-inch hardware cloth during the nesting season. All screening should be checked periodically to make sure it isn’t clogged.
Prevent starlings from roosting on walls covered with vegetation by removing the vegetation or draping bird netting over the area. In new construction, avoid creating small cavities or spaces with access from the exterior into which starlings can enter and nest.
Starlings can be evicted from buildings and other sites any time of year. State and federal laws do not protect this species. A stick with a 2½-inch angle bracket screwed to it can be used to remove nests. The nesting material should be collected and removed to prevent the birds from using it for a new nest. Take immediate steps to prevent starlings from rebuilding.
If the birds are caring for young, one approach is to wait until the young can fly out of the nest, then remove all nesting materials and cover all openings.
Starlings at feeders: Starlings are attracted to both seed and suet feeders, and their aggressive habits can deplete food supplies and keep smaller birds from approaching. By choosing the right bird feed, style of bird feeder, or modifying an existing feeder, you can discourage starlings.
Because starlings have difficulty cracking the commercially available black sunflower seeds, these can be offered in feeders.
Because starlings have difficulty landing on a small perch, making the perches on a feeder smaller by sawing them, or removing the perches altogether, can keep starlings off. Most songbirds do not need a perch to access the seed.
To reduce waste, prevent crowding at the feeder, and keep starlings away, remove all perches and cover all but one lower feeding port with duct tape or electrician’s tape. A hanging pine cone stuffed with peanut butter or suet will prevent starlings from accessing this simple feeder. Smaller birds will have no trouble landing and feeding.Wire placed over a platform feeder to allow small birds in and keep large birds out. Before and after pruning of a coniferous tree to reduce its attractiveness to roosting starlings. Starlings may also be deterred by small feeders that swing and twirl whenever the heavy birds land on them.
Because starlings have trouble clinging upside down, a suet feeder that requires the birds to clasp the feeder from below will discourage starlings. Your local bird specialty store can give you information on suet feeder designs to deter these birds.
Wire mesh placed over a platform feeder will prevent starlings from accessing the seed. Don’t place large amounts of birdseed on the ground or on an uncovered platform feeder.
Starlings roosting in trees: In fall and winter, the communal night roosts of thousands of starlings create accumulations of droppings below the roost. When a health official deems this a health risk to the public, steps need to be taken to disperse the flock. Options include installing visual and auditory scare devices, and thinning 30 to 50 percent of the branches of roost trees or removing trees from dense groves to reduce the availability of perch sites and to open the trees to the weather. A tree service company can provide this service.
Experience has shown that the best results occur when the pruning of trees is combined with scare tactics.
The following are suggestions on how to prevent and remedy conflicts that arise. In cases where these methods are not practical, contact the Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services for more information.
Starlings can be prevented from roosting on a building ledge by securing sheet metal, wood, Styrofoam blocks, or other materials at a 60-degree angle. The undersides of rafters can be covered with bird netting to prevent starlings from gaining access to roosting spots.Starlings nesting in buildings: Starlings are adept at establishing nest sites in nooks or crannies in buildings. Nesting activity can damage buildings, create fire hazards, and clog gutters and drainpipes, causing water damage.
Prevent starlings from nesting or roosting in structures by installing barriers and sealing all potential points of entry. Although starlings have difficulty entering holes smaller than 1½ inch in diameter, house sparrows, bats and other small mammals can slip right in. Use wood, ¼-inch hardware cloth, aluminum flashing, or similar sturdy material. Light material, such as bird netting or rags, will not keep determined starlings out. Replace any loose shingles or siding, and repair broken windows.
Install commercially available vent guards to prevent starlings from entering exhaust vents and dryer vents. If necessary, cover the ends of elevated drainpipes with ¼-inch hardware cloth during the nesting season. All screening should be checked periodically to make sure it isn’t clogged.
Prevent starlings from roosting on walls covered with vegetation by removing the vegetation or draping bird netting over the area. In new construction, avoid creating small cavities or spaces with access from the exterior into which starlings can enter and nest.
Starlings can be evicted from buildings and other sites any time of year. State and federal laws do not protect this species. A stick with a 2½-inch angle bracket screwed to it can be used to remove nests. The nesting material should be collected and removed to prevent the birds from using it for a new nest. Take immediate steps to prevent starlings from rebuilding.
If the birds are caring for young, one approach is to wait until the young can fly out of the nest, then remove all nesting materials and cover all openings.
Starlings at feeders: Starlings are attracted to both seed and suet feeders, and their aggressive habits can deplete food supplies and keep smaller birds from approaching. By choosing the right bird feed, style of bird feeder, or modifying an existing feeder, you can discourage starlings.
Because starlings have difficulty cracking the commercially available black sunflower seeds, these can be offered in feeders.
Because starlings have difficulty landing on a small perch, making the perches on a feeder smaller by sawing them, or removing the perches altogether, can keep starlings off. Most songbirds do not need a perch to access the seed.
To reduce waste, prevent crowding at the feeder, and keep starlings away, remove all perches and cover all but one lower feeding port with duct tape or electrician’s tape. A hanging pine cone stuffed with peanut butter or suet will prevent starlings from accessing this simple feeder. Smaller birds will have no trouble landing and feeding.Wire placed over a platform feeder to allow small birds in and keep large birds out. Before and after pruning of a coniferous tree to reduce its attractiveness to roosting starlings. Starlings may also be deterred by small feeders that swing and twirl whenever the heavy birds land on them.
Because starlings have trouble clinging upside down, a suet feeder that requires the birds to clasp the feeder from below will discourage starlings. Your local bird specialty store can give you information on suet feeder designs to deter these birds.
Wire mesh placed over a platform feeder will prevent starlings from accessing the seed. Don’t place large amounts of birdseed on the ground or on an uncovered platform feeder.
Starlings roosting in trees: In fall and winter, the communal night roosts of thousands of starlings create accumulations of droppings below the roost. When a health official deems this a health risk to the public, steps need to be taken to disperse the flock. Options include installing visual and auditory scare devices, and thinning 30 to 50 percent of the branches of roost trees or removing trees from dense groves to reduce the availability of perch sites and to open the trees to the weather. A tree service company can provide this service.
Experience has shown that the best results occur when the pruning of trees is combined with scare tactics.
This information was provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Russell Link, and Michael Holmquist
Click here to return to the homepage
Click here to return to the homepage
