Bird shit first world problem

[sk_tle]

So I have this roof top terrace that I would spend so much more time on if it wasn't constantly in need of cleaning. I don't mind the occasional dump but this is just getting out of hand and it would be irresponsible to power wash it every week or several times a week given the state of water reserves. Like 2-3 times a week I even have to reclean some clothes I left drying outside because of bird shit. It is probably aggravated by the fact some of my neighbours are so stupid they give them food [1].

I guess I already know the answer but just in case, is there a non cruel way to gently tell them to maybe fly above other roofs?

I was thinking about maybe installing a kind of kite looking like a bird of prey but surely they would quickly get used to it and just ignore it?

[1] I don't criticize people making bird nests and provide food for places where birds population is declining but here we are talking a striving population of pigeons, seagulls and invasive species such as the quaker parrot which invaded all europe in recent years to the detriment of endemic species such as sparrows. We live just by the seaside, temperature is mild in winter and there are so many restaurants with open terace all year long that birds have no problem finding food all year long.

[j44ke]

You need a border collie.

Or an awning. One of these. Just need to weight each leg to keep it from going airborne. Sand bags work.

[Bob Ross]

Just need to weight each leg to keep it from going airborne. Sand bags work.

Only if you have a lot of them. Ask me how I know.

[fastupslowdown]

I can't read this thread without thinking Mel Brooks "The Birds" scene from High Anxiety-Mike G

[sk_tle]

I can't read this thread without thinking Mel Brooks "The Birds" scene from High Anxiety-Mike G

That is not too far from reality. A seagull standing on one of those gooseneck shaped lamp post took a dump on my girlfriends head while she was riding her bicycle a few months ago. I must admit every once in a while when I am riding I am remembered of this and give a quick glance at the lamp posts!

[htwoopup]

That is not too far from reality. A seagull standing on one of those gooseneck shaped lamp post took a dump on my girlfriends head while she was riding her bicycle a few months ago. I must admit every once in a while when I am riding I am remembered of this and give a quick glance at the lamp posts!

In some cultures, if you were shat (is that the right way to write the tense?) upon it is interpreted as meaning that good luck is coming to you.

[sk_tle]

Only if you have a lot of them. Ask me how I know.

Not a big fan of trial and error. We are talking a 3 stories building. Not super high but I don't want to kill a neighbor.

I once forgot to remove the fabric part of my self standing Ikea hammock before going to bed. The night was quite windy and I woke up with a loud bang in the middle of the night. When I checked I found out the frame of the hammock was halfway over the guardrail pulled by the fabric acting like a sail. That was quite frightening to think that thing could have flown across the street and hit someone.

[vertical_doug]

So I have this roof top terrace that I would spend so much more time on if it wasn't constantly in need of cleaning. I don't mind the occasional dump but this is just getting out of hand and it would be irresponsible to power wash it every week or several times a week given the state of water reserves. Like 2-3 times a week I even have to reclean some clothes I left drying outside because of bird shit. It is probably aggravated by the fact some of my neighbours are so stupid they give them food [1].

I guess I already know the answer but just in case, is there a non cruel way to gently tell them to maybe fly above other roofs?

I was thinking about maybe installing a kind of kite looking like a bird of prey but surely they would quickly get used to it and just ignore it?

[1] I don't criticize people making bird nests and provide food for places where birds population is declining but here we are talking a striving population of pigeons, seagulls and invasive species such as the quaker parrot which invaded all europe in recent years to the detriment of endemic species such as sparrows. We live just by the seaside, temperature is mild in winter and there are so many restaurants with open terace all year long that birds have no problem finding food all year long.

how much does it cost to rent a bird of prey occasionally? My daughter had problems with pigeons until a Peregrine moved into the neighborhood.

[rwsaunders]

how much does it cost to rent a bird of prey occasionally? My daughter had problems with pigeons until a Peregrine moved into the neighborhood.

We finished a project serval years ago in Vancouver, WA that became plagued by pigeons until our client contracted a falconer to “thin the flock”.

[j44ke]

According to the Washington Post, wearing a large Bald Eagle costume works.

https://wapo.st/3HoQvGd

[sk_tle]

They look pretty unfazed. Looks to me they could achieve the same result without the costume if it takes him to run after them.

[ides1056]

I'd try this.

[bigbill]

This one time.. On my last submarine before becoming an officer and leaving the community, we pulled into San Diego for a three week port call. We were stationed at Bangor (WA) Submarine Base so we were looking forward to sunny SoCal. We opened the engine room escape trunk to bring on shore power and one of my guys went topside. A few moments later, he made some weird noises and came back down the ladder. He was definitely a mouth breather and a seagull had shit in his mouth. There isn't enough water to rinse all that out.

[ides1056]

That is supposed to be good luck, no?

I saw after posting that this had been mentioned already.

[Tom]

Find a hawker, or for more fun a falconer, and have them come fly their bird for a while a few times. The nuisance birds will decide to be a nuisance elsewhere.

I recommend a falconer because you might be able to get them to have their bird stoop right over your head. Seeing one of those pass about a foot up going 100 miles an hour is way cool. Though a hawk will get the nuisances cleared just as effectively and the bird isn't as valuable.

[sk_tle]

I'd be curious to know if an individual can hire a falconer in an urban setting without consent from the authorities. I've heard of them being hired to clear airports, and historic city centers by the municipalities, but not sure an individual can take that decision and how much it would cost me. I fear it would only work for a limited amount of time and birds would eventually come back given the proximity of food sources.

[rwsaunders]

https://www.treehugger.com/how-do-fa...s-work-4863566

[vertical_doug]

I'd be curious to know if an individual can hire a falconer in an urban setting without consent from the authorities. I've heard of them being hired to clear airports, and historic city centers by the municipalities, but not sure an individual can take that decision and how much it would cost me. I fear it would only work for a limited amount of time and birds would eventually come back given the proximity of food sources.

From Airborne in Las Vegas....

A: First of all, be careful hiring any pigeon control contractor to remove pigeons from your house without understanding that it will likely be a “one and done” temporary fix. If something about your house is attractive to one pigeon, it will attract another. You will more than likely have to hire someone again and again to remove new birds that try to settle down where you don’t want them and that can become expensive. We don’t service an individual house in a typical neighborhood because even though we are very effective at removing pigeons, there is a limit to what even we can
do. In a residential neighborhood if you’re having a pigeon problem the chances are so are your neighbors. Also, there’s a chance one of your neighbors is feeding pigeons either on purpose or unintentionally if they have outdoor pets that the pigeons steal food from. While we can come in and make your house the most undesirable one on the street and subcontract cleanup and custom exclusions, I feel we can’t give you the quick and permanent solution you’re looking to achieve by being a solo client in a neighborhood of people who are basically working against us. Since I am an extremely honest contractor and not willing to make promises or claims we might not be able to keep, we don’t even pretend to be able to handle a single home in a neighborhood and don’t want to take your hard-earned money for a service that will probably underwhelm your expectations.

We completely know pigeons and know infested neighborhoods are a setup for failure unless the whole HOA is on board and agreeable to the service. We have successfully controlled pigeons in entire subdivisions because we have room to work, authorization from everyone to operate across all of the homes in the neighborhood, and are able to remove birds up and down all of the common areas thereby establishing a no-fly zone that pigeons eventually learn to stay out of. Again, for a single house it’s nearly impossible, but for an entire neighborhood with the HOA’s blessing it’s game on!

[sk_tle]

do. In a residential neighborhood if you’re having a pigeon problem the chances are so are your neighbors. Also, there’s a chance one of your neighbors is feeding pigeons either on purpose or unintentionally if they have outdoor pets that the pigeons steal food from. While we can come in and make your house the most undesirable one on the street and subcontract cleanup and custom exclusions, I feel we can’t give you the quick and permanent solution you’re looking to achieve by being a solo client in a neighborhood of people who are basically working against us. Since I am an extremely honest contractor and not willing to make promises or claims we might not be able to keep, we don’t even pretend to be able to handle a single home in a neighborhood and don’t want to take your hard-earned money for a service that will probably underwhelm your expectations.

Well, many old people give bread to pigeons in the nearby park, as well as one neighbour. They already had a verbal fight with another neighbour complaining about it. but keep doing it.

[Tom]

At one of the local garden places I saw a big owl made out of metal that had wings that moved in the wind like it was flying. It looked really cool but cost $300 so I didn't buy it. I bet that'd do the trick.