Birdhouses and houses for useful birds in the garden. Crafts - do-it-yourself birds from different materials What to do to make birds

In a nutshell, the "success formula" of wires in birds is as follows: Comfortable. Safely. Available. Multifunctional.

Birds like to sit on wires so much because they are excellent perches - convenient and safe places where they can be without flying. For many species of birds, perches are an important spatial resource, the shortage of which is sometimes observed in nature. For this reason, any suitable artificial structure is actively used by animals.

The small diameter makes the wires a good perch for small to medium sized birds. In birds, the tendons on the paws are arranged in a special way - they have, as it were, locks that allow the birds to stay on the perch for a long time without spending muscle effort. In addition to textbook swallows, many species of birds like to sit on the wires. In the steppe regions, turtledoves can be seen on them. Perhaps, from larger birds, cuckoos and small predators can sit on the wires.

Large diurnal birds of prey, such as eagles, do not use wires as perches, on which they are uncomfortable to sit, but poles.

Birds use perches for rest, tidying up their plumage, monitoring the surrounding area, eating the food they have obtained, singing a song that marks the nesting territory.

Wires, as potential additives, also have such important characteristics as concentration and redundancy. In one place, a large number of birds can easily be located at a relatively small distance from each other. This may be important, for example, for flocks of migratory birds that need places where the whole flock, without violating its integrity, can rest during exhausting migratory flights.

Many birds use the convenience of locating wires in open spaces (after all, people always clear thickets around power lines). Small falcons, such as the kestrel, or insectivorous birds, such as shrikes, can track prey while sitting on wires.

This, of course, is not a complete list of the amenities of wires and examples of their use by birds. But the main advantages of this artificial spatial resource are determined by such important properties for birds:

- it is convenient to sit on them (mainly for small and medium-sized birds, and large ones use supports for wires),

- it is safe to be on them (predatory animals will not reach),

- there is always an excess of places on them,

- you can do a lot of things on them (rest, including the whole flock; take care of the plumage, on the state of which the ability to fly depends; hunt).

Bird crafts have always been very popular among lovers of home art. Particularly relevant are the figurines of feathered creatures on Bird Day, which is celebrated in spring on April 1 in kindergartens and schools. The holiday is dedicated to the return of migratory birds and marks the onset of spring and the renewal of awakened nature. On this day, children of all ages make bird crafts, and older schoolchildren make birdhouses and hang them on trees.

Bird crafts can be made from a variety of different materials: cotton pads, colored paper, plastic bottles, salt dough, natural and any improvised materials. There are many options for creating birds - from simple ones for young children to complex ones that schoolchildren can easily master with the help of adults.

We bring to your attention a few lessons on creating birds with your own hands with step by step instructions, diagrams and tips. We hope that they will help you learn all the subtleties of this fascinating process and be filled with new bright ideas.

We will need: plastic bottles of various colors, foam plastic, a wooden block as a stand, a metal twig, foil and thin colored plastic, a glue gun.

Step one, Cut out the body of the peacock along with the head from the foam, not forgetting to make small indentations in place of the eyes. We fasten it to a wooden block with a metal rod, which plays the role of legs.

Step two. We make a sufficient number of peacock feathers from plastic bottles of different colors. We will need three types of feathers: long for the tail, short for the neck and a little longer for the body. To do this, cut off the bottom and neck of the bottle and cut it lengthwise into 3 parts.

We round one end of each strip with scissors and cut its edges into thin strips so that it looks like a bird's feather. We decorate the rounded end of the feathers intended for the tail with two or three multi-colored ovals made of foil and plastic. You can attach them with a stapler.

Step three. Cut out a beak from a red plastic bottle and fasten it in place. Next, we gradually glue the feathers on the body of the bird with a glue gun, starting from the tail and ending with the neck. We attach the feathers a little overlap, as shown in the photo. Do not forget that medium-length feathers are for the body, and meek ones are for the neck.

Step four. We cut out a crest of any shape from colored plastic, which our imagination tells us, and glue it on the head. Using acrylic paints, draw the eyes of a peacock. You can glue cilia cut from a transparent plastic bottle to them.

Step five. We proceed to the manufacture of the tail, using an abrasive mesh for this. We make holes at the base of the feathers and attach them to the grid with a thin wire.

We start making the tail from the end, gradually laying feathers on top of each other in rows until the luxurious long tail of the bird is fully formed. After that, we attach it to the body and settle the peacock, made with our own hands from plastic bottles, on a plot among flowers and greenery.

Do-it-yourself firebird from salt dough - master class

By the Day of the Birds, together with the children, you can make a voluminous firebird from salt dough. The work will take little time, require very few materials and provide the children with a cheerful and festive mood.

We will need: salty dough, gouache or watercolors, colorless varnish.

Step one. Making salt dough. To do this, mix a glass of flour with a glass of salt and knead the dough by pouring 100 ml of brewed starch into it. We prepare it as follows: dilute a tablespoon of starch in 100 ml of cold water and pour a glass of boiling water into this mixture.

Step two. Divide the salt dough into 5 pieces and color them in different colors. To do this, add gouache or watercolors to each piece and knead it slightly again. Next, draw a sketch of the firebird and sculpt the details of the bird on it: wings and torso. Dry them in the oven at low temperature.

Step three. We make a tail fabulous bird. We draw stencils of feathers and sculpt them from pink and blue salt dough on them. Dry the feathers in the oven. Next, we paint all the details of the bird with paints, cover with colorless varnish, and connect. We make a colorful festive panel with crafts. Salt dough firebird is ready!

Cotton pad birds - master class

Another very cute craft that is perfect for decoration. kindergarten on the wonderful holiday Bird Day. It's easy, fun and very fast. Young children can be involved in making birds from cotton pads.

For creativity, we need: cotton pads, wooden skewers, colored paper, narrow colored ribbons, plastic eyes, glue and scissors.

Operating procedure:

1. We take 5 cotton pads to create one bird. We cut one disk into two halves, and leave four whole.
2. We fix two pairs of cotton pads on a skewer with glue so that it is inside. One pair of discs plays the role of the bird's head, and the other - the body.
3. We glue the halves of the cut cotton pad to the body on both sides - this will be our wings.
4. We glue the eyes and beak cut out of a piece of colored paper to the head and decorate the bird with a ribbon. A cute chick made of cotton pads for Bird Day is ready!

Colored paper owl - master class

Cute owls for celebrating Birds Day at school can be made with your own hands from colored paper. We will need directly the colored paper itself, scissors, double-sided tape and glue.

Operating procedure:

1. We make a cylinder from a sheet of colored paper, glue its edges on one side, as shown in the photo, and crush the middle so that we get ears.
2. We cut out a heart from paper and glue it to the bottom of the cylinder - these are the paws of an owl.
3. We cut circles of the same size and stick them on the central part of the cylinder as plumage. In order for the circles to give the craft volume, it is better to stick them with double-sided tape.
4. We cut out a triangle of the same color as the paws, and glue it at the top of the plumage - this is the beak.
5. Lastly, we glue the eyes by cutting out circles for them from black and white paper. The handmade owl is ready!

Do-it-yourself bird of paradise made of polymer clay - master class

These delightful birds of paradise are made of polymer clay that hardens in air. This modern material we are also familiar with the names "self-hardening plasticine", "mass for modeling" and "velvet plastic". For the manufacture of charming feathered creatures, we need aluminum wire with a diameter of 1 mm, polymer clay, foil, scissors, round nose pliers, a stack, a glass for rolling clay, a little patience and diligence.

Operating procedure:

1. We create three birds at once at once - while we are sculpting one, the rest dry up. We cut the wire twice as long as the planned tail. We wrap half of the wire with foil, crushing it and forming the body of a bird.
2. We make paws from wire, as shown in the photo, and insert them into the body. We take a piece of clay, form it in the shape of a sausage, then roll it out and flatten it. We carefully pull out the wire from the bird, place it inside the clay sausage, rolling it up with a glass. We insert the finished colored ponytail back into the body. In the same way, we make blanks for the remaining two birds.
3. We take a piece of blue, yellow and red clay, roll them out and gradually, spreading them with our fingers, stick them around the birds until all the foil is covered. We will get three blanks of bright birds.
4. Starting from the center, stick around the paws. Then we take a piece of clay of the corresponding color and make cheeks, crown and beak. From balls of black clay we sculpt eyes, not forgetting to squeeze out the upper and lower eyelids around them with a stack.
5. We create a tail and crest. To do this, cut off several wires of the length we need and roll them into clay. When it dries, round off the ends with round nose pliers and insert the details of the tail into the body of the bird. We make shorter feathers from thin clay sausages by twisting their tips.
6. We make the effect of plumage by applying pieces of clay rolled out in the form of droplets on the body and working with a needle in the direction of feather growth. With the help of a needle, we make feathering all over the body of the bird. For shine, the eye can be varnished. A wonderful do-it-yourself bird of paradise is ready!

More ideas and schemes for bird crafts from various materials

For needlewomen who are familiar with the isothread technique, it will not be difficult to create pictures with beautiful white swans with their own hands and decorate the holiday with them, dedicated to the day birds. Threads for creativity are better to take floss or iris. From the wrong side of the cardboard we draw a swan and draw waves. We divide the drawing into details, drawing figures of different sizes, and embroider using the isothread technique.

From woolen threads, a very charming feathered creature is obtained. It can be easily created with your own hands according to a simple and understandable scheme.

And according to this scheme, by introducing children to the creativity, you can make a bird of happiness from a beautiful bright fabric.

Even small children can create such a colorful bird from circles of colored paper.

A charming bird can even be made from a strip of colored paper and a clothespin.

A do-it-yourself bird for Bird Day can be planted in a nest glued from paper plates.

Simple clothespins in the hands of a craftswoman can turn into an unusual fairy-tale bird.

And finally, the ideas of bird crafts from natural and improvised materials: cedar or pine cones, painted feathers, cardboard and plasticine.

Not everyone knows that the main defenders of the garden and vegetable garden in the backyard are birds. But this is true. Birds are greedy. Sometimes their gluttony is not only surprising, but also amazing.

How many pests do birds eat

The white wagtail, weighing 17 g, eats pests with a total weight of 21 g per day. This is 126% of the mass of feed to the mass of the bird. In the wren, this percentage reaches 180, in the chiffchaff - 190. This need for feed is explained at great expense energy during flights, when there is a very intensive metabolism and the body temperature of some birds reaches 42 °.

The activity of birds increases markedly during the feeding of chicks. The white wagtail, the gray flycatcher, the great tit return to their nest with food more than three hundred times in a day alone, the chiffchaff and the pied flycatcher - more than four hundred. A pair of starlings can fill up three birdhouses with the food that a pair of starlings brings to their chicks. The pied flycatcher, whose weight is less than 10 g, feeds its generation, usually consisting of 5 chicks, over 1 kg of insects in 15-16 days of nesting, and great tits - twice as much.
That's why try to attract to your personal plot insectivorous beneficial birds, help them, make artificial nests for them.

Bird house requirements

Pied flycatcher, great tit, redstart, field and house sparrows settle in titmouses, starlings, rollers, white wagtails, gray flycatchers live in birdhouses.
Why is it often titmice and birdhouses empty? What is the reason for the "unwillingness" of birds to settle in your garden?
The fact is that we often do not know the requirements of the birds that they impose on housing. At first glance, everything seems simple: I knocked down a box, made a hole in it, nailed it to a tree ... and the bird's "house" is ready. Birds don't live in it. They don't like him. What's the matter?

For houses, it is better to take a tes with a thickness of at least one and a half centimeters. Thinner boards are short-lived. They quickly warp and crack. Plywood is not at all suitable for these purposes: it does not hold heat well, delaminates, and transmits sound. Most birds don't like noise.
bird house must be firmly knocked down, without cracks: starlings and other birds do not tolerate drafts. The nest boards should be unplaned so that the bird can safely get to the notch.
Previously, the houses had a gable roof. It's not obligatory. Such imitation of human dwellings only complicates the work. It is better and easier to make a roof without a slope and removable. It is possible from a croaker. Its area is so small that water will not linger on it, especially since when hanging houses, it always turns out to be tilted in one direction or another. It is desirable that he be forward. The roof, as we have already said, is better to make it removable, since the house itself needs to be cleaned periodically.

Sizes and colors of bird houses

insectivorous birds every year they make a new nest on the old one. Therefore, after a few years they "clog" the room with old nests up to the entrance. The removable roof should protrude 3-5 cm above the entrance.
Internal house dimensions, its height and taphole diameter. For a birdhouse, the bottom area should be from 12x12 to 16x16 cm; height from the bottom to the lid - 28-35 cm; notch diameter - 4.7-5 cm.
Recommended dimensions of the titmouse: bottom area 10x10 or 12x12 cm, height - 22-28 cm, notch - 3-4.5 cm. Great tit, pied flycatcher, blue tit, vertichoke, redstart, sparrows are "registered" in such a house. For smaller birds (Muscovites, Grenadiers, etc.), you need a house with an area of ​​​​8x8 or 9x9 cm, a height of 22-25 cm and a summer entrance - 3 cm. We must not forget that the distance from the entrance to the roof should be equal to the diameter of the entrance. This is for most birds.

In order for the birds to more readily inhabit the houses, they must be painted. Most birds prefer to live in houses painted green, brown, yellow, red and black, but they do not like blue. Birds like to settle in unpainted houses, in which the front wall is made of unskinned croaker. In all likelihood, such nesting sites remind birds of natural hollows. The old house inside is worth whitewashing.

Orientation of birdhouses, titmouses and other bird houses

Not less important take into account the orientation flight to the cardinal points. For pied flycatchers, east is preferable, for tits, west. Birds usually do not like the northwestern direction and avoid settling in such houses. The best flow direction for most birds is from the northwest to the southeast.

Some birds - starlings, sparrows - live in colonies. For them, nesting boxes can be hung side by side or on the same pole, setting the houses one above the other. Other birds do not tolerate the proximity of someone's nests. For pied flycatchers, for example, the distance between nests should be 15-20 m, for great tits - 40-60 m.

bird houses must be protected from cats. The pole on which the house is installed is upholstered with tin or visors are made on the branches.
If you want to protect your garden from pests, welcome birds. They are faithful, hardworking and kind helpers of man.

Based on the materials of the magazine "Private farm", N. Yurkin, 1982

Rabbit owls, they are also cave owls, either dig their own holes, or occupy someone's empty apartments. While the parents are hunting, the chicks are able to stand up for themselves, imitating the lingering hiss and crackle of a rattlesnake. This can deceive anyone, even a person ... but not real rattlesnakes, which, due to congenital deafness, cannot even hear their own "rattle".

Noisy plovers nest on the ground, which makes their chicks extremely vulnerable. If one of the parents notices that a predator is approaching the nest, he skillfully pretends to be wounded, crawling to the side and luring danger to himself. As soon as the chicks are saved, the adult bird immediately forgets about the “broken wing” and flies away.

Fulmars are birds from the petrel family. Despite the name, their method of defense is not at all stupid, although quite unpleasant - they spew a disgustingly stinking orange stomach fluid at the enemy. On the birds of prey the smell does not work well, but if the "oil" gets on their feathers, it will be much more difficult to fly. The fools themselves have developed immunity against their weapons.

Common cuckoos are famous for throwing eggs into other people's nests. But what about parents who do not want to leave the nest? The coloring of the cuckoo allows it to successfully pretend to be a hawk in order to drive the birds away from their homes and calmly lay their own eggs. Such mimicry also protects well from predators.

Red pygmy owls, despite their small size, successfully hunt other birds, sometimes even twice as large as themselves. Sometimes small birds gather in flocks and attack the owls in droves, which can be extremely dangerous. For protection, two black spots are located on the back of the owl's head, convincingly imitating eyes. This confuses attackers and allows the owl to strike back.

Hoatzins are very ancient birds with very smelly and almost inedible meat. But their main defense mechanism is different. Hoatzins build nests on branches above ponds, and when something threatens the chicks, they dive into the water. The danger has passed - and the birds climb into the nest along the trunk, using large powerful claws. In adults, these claws are of normal size.

gigantic nightjars- geniuses of disguise. Gray-brown coloring allows these birds to merge with trees during daytime sleep. When the nightjar freezes in place, it is almost impossible to find it - and it does not move even if you come close to it. He can also observe predators with his eyes closed, thanks to special cuts in his eyelids.

White-faced owls have an amazing gift for transformation. Near a small enemy, they swell almost twice, opening their wings and emitting a terrible hiss. Faced with an enemy larger than itself, the owl shrinks, exposes dark feathers and freezes, trying to blend in with the surrounding area.

Under no circumstances should you mess with bicolor pitohu. How many poisonous birds can you name? Pitohu is one of them. They absorb a dangerous neurotoxin from poisonous bugs, which they eat in large quantities. A simple touch to a bird can cause a severe chemical burn, and even an attempt to eat it ... The birds themselves, of course, have long developed immunity.

Everyone knows that it is better not to annoy skunks, but few people have heard such information about hoopoes or silly ones. Even the most beautiful-looking birds can have some pretty nasty defense mechanisms. On the other hand, efficiency comes first.

Compliance certain rules in housekeeping or maintenance retail space will avoid interest in him from the birds. In grain barns, it is recommended to use bird-proof storage facilities, on livestock farms- special drinkers and feeders and keep order.

Plastic strips should be hung at the entrances to retail facilities, which completely close the opening from birds, allowing people with heavy bags and carts to move around. Also block ventilation and other entrances to the room, isolate roof structures and repair windows.

What birds are afraid of: an overview of the 7 best methods

If it is not possible to completely eliminate bird sightings, or if it is not economically feasible, try reducing the attractiveness of bird roosting and nesting sites. These methods are safe for people, livestock and "non-target" animals, but often require a lot of money and time to install -

To counter the arrival or nesting, various physical barriers, such as spikes on cornices, nets that protect garden crops from being eaten, changing the angle of the slope of cornices and window sills. Spikes and netting will help in the fight against pigeons and larger birds, but small species will be able to settle between the spikes or crawl into the mesh cell. Also, plants or other attractive places and objects can be treated with a spray or gel that has an unpleasant odor or irritates their mucous membranes. Having received a negative experience, a flock or an individual decides to leave the place.

To get rid of all types of birds, scientists advise resorting to deterrent methods, and it is desirable to alternate or combine them. The easiest option is to use dummies and scarecrows in the form of birds of prey or even in the form of eyes. Scientists approve the use of reflective devices: tapes, rails, disks. This method is considered one of the most common. But there are nuances: pests quickly get used to such items. And in windless gloomy weather, when the reflectors do not swing and do not make noise, there is little sense from them.

Stores also sell electronic repellents. Some - acoustic - act by ear. Another type is water repellers with a motion sensor, which release a jet of water towards the intruder. If the method with water is not in doubt, then with ultrasound the question is not so clear. Despite the fact that there are also positive reviews for such repellers, there are still more negative ones. Yes, and scientists doubt their effectiveness as an independent method. So, experts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln state: “Acoustic devices by themselves are not effective against birds or are only effective for a short time. To be useful in such a matter, acoustic devices must be used in conjunction with other control methods. Their most effective use is possible when additional measures are applied, leading to the death or painful experience of some members of the population or pack ... ”.

Among other repellents that affect hearing, scientists distinguish programmable sound repellers. They record the voices of birds of prey that scare away different types of birds. Such devices can even be configured to scare away specific types: doves, sparrows, etc.

Chemical Methods

Chemical compounds are used not only to scare away the bird, but also to “confuse” it. For this, substances with tannins that prevent rapid digestion, viscous and sticky compounds that complicate food intake or masking substances that make fruits or cereals invisible are used. According to the principle of action on the body, Michael L. Avery from the University of Nebraska divides compounds into two categories:

“Primary repellents cause pain or irritation on contact, and the bird reacts reflexively without expecting a response. Extensive research on the nature and characteristics of dozens of primary repellents leads researchers to conclude that the pain or irritation resulting from such contact provokes the avoidance response in birds. Many of these compounds are of ecological importance in terms of interactions between birds and their natural food, and one of the primary repellant compounds, methyl anthranilate, is registered as a bird deterrent. Many primary repellents are toxic, but because these compounds are disgusting in taste, birds will not be able to ingest enough of it to cause them real harm. Secondary repellents do not have a pronounced unpleasant taste, but cause illness or discomfort after ingestion”

The use of primary or secondary repellent depends on the lifestyle of the bird. If she lives settled nearby, a secondary repellant is more preferable. Primary repellant is suitable against nomadic species.

One such irritant is methyl anthranilate (MA), used in Food Industry and safe for people. It acts on the nervous system as an irritant, due to which the bird loses its appetite. This drug is used to protect berry crops and control the behavior of geese. Anthraquinone, a secondary repellent that causes digestive discomfort, is sometimes used to protect seeds and turf. Subsequently, the individual develops a dislike for food similar to processed.

Another secondary action substance is methiocarb, which is designed against insects. For birds, the compound is not fatal and causes only vomiting and temporary paralysis. However, the substance is toxic and requires the correct dosage in order not to kill the birds. Among non-core compounds, it is also worth noting fungicides that inhibit the activity of birds.

Destruction of nests: how to get rid of a bird's nest

Techniques to reduce reproduction are permitted for some non-protected species, most notably sparrows, pigeons and starlings. Resource Professor Wildlife Pennsylvania State College of Agricultural Sciences, Margaret C. Brittingham recommends making a long stick with a hook that can be used to periodically destroy nests. A more time-consuming and delicate way is to get to the nest and pierce the eggs with a pin. Since the birds will still hatch them, they will not start building new nests and laying new eggs.

Setting traps

Bird traps are designed in such a way as not to harm them and subsequently release them.

Lethal methods

There are very few species that are not protected in any way at the regional, state or international level. These are common pigeons, house sparrows and starlings. They are allowed to hunt and shoot where, in principle, shooting is allowed.

It is important to note that when using lethal methods, it is necessary to monitor the impact on non-target and protected species and limit the possibility of impact on them as much as possible.

Bird scaring in towns and villages

In the city and in the countryside, deterrence methods differ depending on the specific security measures, the extent of the problem, and the property being protected. Usually the species composition differs, which is determined by the lifestyle of the bird, the composition and availability of the food base for it.

Sparrows, pigeons and crows are most often found in the city, and seagulls are also found in coastal areas. Crows, gulls and pigeons rake up the garbage and scatter it. Sparrows can do much less harm, but they can sneak into warehouses and stores and spoil food. All listed species leave droppings on windowsills, under the eaves of houses, trees and various structures. In disadvantaged countries, they spread disease.

In the city, it is convenient to use methods of limited action, such as a gel or a water repeller that works on a small radius, as well as spikes.

Outside the city, the arsenal of ways to fight is expanding. Deterrent sprays are sprayed on fruit trees or large fields. More powerful water scarers, scarecrows, metal or plastic reflective tapes are hung near the house.

Comparative table of methods and repellers

Method / product	How, when and where to use	Benefits of Impact	Minuses
spikes	On the eaves of houses and city fences	Prevent pests from landing on surfaces	Violate the overall aesthetics, not suitable against small species
Grids	To protect fruit trees, plantings, ventilation ducts, etc.	Effectively protect against large and medium birds	Not always suitable against small species
Light reflectors with noise effect: ribbons, pendants, discs	Hanging where the appearance of birds is undesirable	Reflected light and noise of the device scare away	Birds get used to after a while. Best effect - only in windy sunny weather
Sound repellers	Installed in places that need to be protected	Imitate the calls of predators - a natural threat to birds Large coverage area Scare setting different types	Must be used in conjunction with other control methods
ultrasonic repellers	Are established on balconies, terraces and on the street	Can scare away different types pests
Water repellers with motion sensor	Set up on lawns	Physical repelling + additional watering of plants	Requires water supplies and battery replacement
Scarecrow	Placed on the backyard or porch	They scare away with their sight and noise	Birds get used after a while
Chemical: gels and sprays	Various surfaces are processed: cornices, lawn, fruit trees	Cause a persistent reflex, forcing you to avoid treated areas in the future	Some compounds are toxic and must be used correctly according to the instructions.
nest destruction	Nests are destroyed with a stick with a hook	Birds don't breed	Temporary effect: soon they will build a new nest

TOP 17 Bird Repellers

We have written an overview of all types of repellers mentioned above. Choose exactly what is right for your situation and area - and the question "How to scare the birds?" will not occur again. Most available solutions cost as little as $10.

spikes

The easiest way to scare a bird away from the eaves of houses and fences is to install spikes. They sell good polycarbonate and metal spikes under the Bird-X brand. Both items are 10 feet long. They differ not only in material, but also in functional features.

plastic spikes branched and suitable for scaring away not only pigeons or crows, but also small species, such as sparrows. They are attached to the surface with glue, which is included in the package, and stand.

metal spikes do not have branches, so they are only suitable for countering large species like pigeons. They have a flexible base that allows you to attach spikes to uneven surfaces. Both items are highly acclaimed by customers.

Scarecrow

Birds are afraid of predators, so a very common method is to imitate the presence of a bird of prey nearby, for example, by reproducing the cry of a predator or by installing an appropriate figurine. If you don't know how to keep birds away from your porch or flower bed, the first thing to try is to install one.

Bird Blinder offers on Amazon life size owl figurine - Scarecrow Fake Owl Decoy for ~$15.95. It is convenient to fill it with sand for stability or place it on top of a pole or post. It should scare away birds and rodents and, judging by customer reviews, it does its job properly.

As an option - a more formidable predator Bird B Gone Hawk Decoy for ~$12.99. The principle of operation is the same, but, unlike Fake Owl, the reviews are far from being so unambiguous. One of the negative reviews is illustrated by a figurine of a hawk in a poultry house. From the photo it is obvious that the birds are not very afraid of the scarecrow. Users give the hawk a rating of only 3.4 stars out of 5.

Repellers-”eyes”

In this case, the task of intimidation was decided to be simplified as much as possible. Many animals, including birds, have an associative perception of visual information. Therefore, only some characteristic elements are used to intimidate, for example, the image of the eye, as in the product Scare Eye Balloon Bird Repellent for ~$15.90. Such a ball scares away visually also due to bright colors. Its swaying in the wind will also cause discomfort and a desire to fly away.

The set includes 3 inflatable balls with an ornament in the form of an eye, encircling the product. The ball can be used in two ways: hanging or throwing into the water in the pool - to protect against waterfowl. More than half of the buyers were satisfied with the product. Those who did not like the product complain about a short period of action, after which pigeons, sparrows and others get used to it and stop being afraid. But this common feature all visual scarers. Scientists do not say anything about such newfangled repellers, but due to the availability, it should be given a chance.

Price from 225 rubles

Reflectors: pendants, discs and tape

One of the most common ways to keep birds away and one of the most budget friendly. Reflectors perform a double job: they blind with reflected light and additionally scare away with noise. In sunny windy weather, there is no better solution to protect windows and trees.

Bird Blinder Repellent Scare Rods is a set of 5 silver pendants made of shiny plastic. Reviews are mostly positive. Users agree that birds, if not completely disappear, but their number is reduced significantly. Although some buyers claim that pigeons ignore rods.

Made of of stainless steel. This is a set of 8 shiny double discs. They not only blind with light, but also make more noise than plastic. The manufacturer claims that such pendants will work against woodpeckers, pigeons, sparrows, geese, ducks and rooks - users confirm.

Scare Tape

Reflective holographic tape looks aggressive to birds and, according to the manufacturer, repels any pests. A 150 foot skein costs only ~$11.59 and will last a long time. It is double-sided and you can fix the tape anywhere. This product is easy to use, effective and affordable for this, and users love it.

Price from 225 rubles.

Grid

Grid protects fruit and berry plantings from raids by flocks, without posing a danger to the birds themselves. Its size is 15 x 45 feet. According to reviews on Amazon, the mesh works well in most cases, but due to the size of the mesh, it is still more suitable for protecting against large species. And small species of birds may well stick their heads into the cell in search of berries.

Electronic repellers

As mentioned above, not all electronic repellers are equally effective against birds. Water repellers work - provided there is sufficient range. Acoustic repellers scientists advise to use together with other means. There are many popular electronic bird reflectors, which we will tell you about. Which one to choose is up to you.

Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion Activated Sprinkler

Unlike the rest of the devices in this top, this repeller repels animals with water. If someone enters the sensor's 120-degree field of view up to 40 feet, a powerful jet of water is fired in the direction of the intruder. For better control the sensor must be pre-installed in the desired direction. The unit is battery operated. In general, users are satisfied with his work. “He shoots water so famously that you don’t even have to hit the animal to scare him away”. Users confirm: when there is an Orbit, bird excrement ceases to appear in the pool.

Price: ~$48.32

Bioacoustic repeller EcoSniper

This sound device is a device for recording the calls of wild birds of prey. He has both a general scare mode and special ones for different species. The manufacturer claims that it can be configured to scare away as many as 22 species: pigeons, crows, starlings, gulls, woodpeckers, etc. The repeller works from the network - the power of the speaker is enough for 1 hectare of area. There are 2 operating modes: day and night.

Bird-X Balcony Guard Ultrasonic Repeller

This ultrasonic repeller, according to the manufacturer, works in areas up to 900 square feet and is suitable for use on a balcony, terrace or porch. It is harmless to children and pets, but is it effective? Buyers do not doubt, the product has quite a lot of negative reviews. Separately, pigeons are mentioned, which are not afraid of the included device. Among the shortcomings, the audibility of squeaking by children is also called. But still every third was satisfied with the effect.

Price: ~$14.47

Hoont Powerful Solar Battery Powered Ultrasonic Outdoor Pest and Animal Repeller

This repellent is suitable for large spaces. It has 3 ultrasonic frequency settings. There is also an additional deterrent option - a flashing light. The sensor picks up movement at a distance of 30 feet. This all-weather device may be under open sky. Manufacturers note that it can be used not only against birds, but also in the fight against mammal pests, such as chipmunks. The product is generally highly appreciated by buyers. But the reviews regarding birds are not very positive.

Price: ~$74.85

Chemical repellents

The manufacturer called this gel “liquid spikes” for its use on cornices and window sills. He also advises using it on any ledges, signs, railings, roofs and other places where pests fly. Everything that the gel gets into becomes sticky and unpleasant to the touch. This property promises to repel many bird species, including pigeons, swallows, ducks, geese, gulls, sparrows, starlings, woodpeckers, crows and blackbirds, rooks, etc.

The gel retains its properties well on outdoors and completely transparent. It is non-toxic and does not harm buildings or animals - it is easy to wash off if necessary. Three tubes in the kit will make up to 30 feet of gel.

Price: ~$19.37 (3 tubes per set)

This repellent acts not only on touch, but also on smell and taste. Its active ingredients are rotten eggs, clove oil and garlic. Getting into the mouth of the pest, the active substances cause slight irritation of the mucous membranes. As a result, the animal has a desire to leave a potentially dangerous place. The spray is designed to repel birds and mammals.

There have been various reviews from buyers, including quite a few negative ones that note that the animals are returning in a couple of days. Those who fight birds note that he can even attract them. Try it out yourself to see if this is the case and see how effective it is.

Price: ~$13.95

It is a ready-to-use concentrate based on methyl anthranilate. This repellent is approved by scientists to control geese that eat berry crops. It discourages the appetite of birds, acting on the nervous system, and is safe for people. In addition to geese, the product is also designed for other waterfowl and large representatives living on the ground - ducks and turkeys.

The spray is economical: one quart of product is enough for 4,000 square feet. - The manufacturer advises using it on large areas. Safe to use even on fruit and berry trees and shrubs.

Price: ~$39.99 (1-quart)

Bird-X Bird Stop Liquid Deterrent

A gallon of this spray based on the same methyl anthranilate. The tool is designed for a large number of species of waterfowl and other birds that damage large fruit plantings, lawn or vegetable crops. Depending on the recommendations for use in different situations(see instructions) the liquid is diluted with different amounts of water.

So far, few people buy the product, and the rating is low. But individual users describe a positive experience of use. The guy who saved the blueberry bushes in the garden from the attacks of the flocks writes: “I applied this to my plants 3 times. Because of the rain, I had to redo the treatment. But after that, the attacks on my blueberries stopped.”. He also notes the high price, but adds that as long as it works, the price is justified. Yes, and buying a concentrate is still more profitable than ready-made products.

Price: ~$91.48

Comparison table of bird scarers

Name	Type of	How to use	Price
Anti-landing spikes	spikes	Install on a ledge or window sill
	Scarecrow	Install next to the protected object	$14.95
	Scarecrow		$12.99
	reflector	Hang in the right place / stretch	$14.95
	reflector		$19.95
	reflector		$11.59
	Repellers - “eyes”	Hang in the right place or throw into the pool	$15.90
Bird-X Balcony Guard Ultrasonic Repeller	ultrasonic repeller	$33.30
Hoont Powerful Solar Battery Powered Ultrasonic Outdoor Pest and Animal Repeller		$79.99
Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion Activated Sprinkler	Water repeller with motion sensor	Connect to water and install on a personal plot, placing it opposite the protected object	$60.40
	Chemical repellents	“Liquid nails”, leave a strip on the cornice	$18.42
		Spray on lawn or fruit trees	$10.53
			$39.99
			$91.48

How to Keep Birds Away: 5 DIY Solutions

You can scare them away on your own, without buying special expensive tools. Below we have identified 5 maximum budget solutions that will save you from such unwanted neighbors. All you have to do is do a little digging in your closet or garage looking for the right tools and fabrics.

Close the doors to the house

Make a scarecrow

Since ancient times, people have been installing stuffed animals on their farms not only in the form of birds of prey, but also constructing “people” from improvised means. To do this, you can use wooden beams, a bucket, unnecessary pieces of fabric, etc. Unfortunately, such stuffed animals work for a relatively short time. Birds living nearby quickly get used to it and are no longer afraid.

Make your own rattle

To enhance the effect, you can hang rattling metal objects in pair with the scarecrow or make a weather vane that will crackle in the wind.

hang reflector

Another auxiliary element is reflective tapes and other similar items. Reflectors will blind all flyers and make frightening rustling sounds. Many craftsmen use ordinary foil for such a scare.

Watch out for birds nesting

Nests are interesting to watch, but if birds can cause harm to the household, it is better to take care that they do not breed in your neighborhood. To destroy nests, attach a hook to a long stick.