Getting Rid of a Red Winged Blackbird

Raizinman · Apr 29, 2024

We have a Red Winged Blackbird that comes to our deck everyday from 7am to 7pm and sings loudly and runs into our deck glass door and tears the screen on the door. We want this bird gone. We have tried:

Reflective Tape
Fake owls
Ultra sonic detectors
Spikes
Scare Crow
Fake snakes

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get rid of this one bird. Our kids sleep in the room right inside and can't sleep due to the noise. We would even consider "drastic" measures, but no guns.

nOOky · Apr 29, 2024

Gamo Swarm Magnum .22 air rifle with a heavier lead pellet so it doesn't break the sound barrier. It will also come in handy for other pests. If you've ever had one of those birds smack you on the top of the head to protect their nest you'll reconsider using a gun.

Raizinman · Apr 30, 2024

Just ordered the Gamo Swarm Whisper 1300 fps with scope. A very quiet pellet gun in .22 caliber. Amazon has this on sale right now from $178.90 to $148.09.

RPD · Apr 30, 2024

I got some stupid morning doves I'd like to shoot as well. Apparently multiple attempts of almost swatting them down with a bug zapping racket have proven ineffective long term. One time a swing made an egg I didn't realize was there fall out of the planter they were in.

But yet, these fucking derps always return.

nOOky · Apr 30, 2024

Raizinman said:
Just ordered the Gamo Swarm Whisper 1300 fps with scope. A very quiet pellet gun in .22 caliber. Amazon has this on sale right now from $178.90 to $148.09.

Sweet! Very quiet and fun to just plink with also, especially with an extra magazine or two.

pcgeek11 · Apr 30, 2024

Maybe Kristi Noem could give you a few tips...
You want to kill the bird for being a bird.

WelshBloke · Apr 30, 2024

pcgeek11 said:
Maybe Kristi Noem could give you a few tips...
You want to kill the bird for being a bird.

Yeah. Shooting a bird because it sings outside your house and occasionally fly's into the window seems a bit unnecessary!

RPD · Apr 30, 2024

pcgeek11 said:
Maybe Kristi Noem could give you a few tips...
You want to kill the bird for being a bird.

No he wants to shoot the bird because it "runs into our deck glass door and tears the screen on the door" and can't take a hint.

Raizinman · Apr 30, 2024

RPD said:
No he wants to shoot the bird because it "runs into our deck glass door and tears the screen on the door" and can't take a hint.

Last year we spent hundreds of dollars trying to persuade this bird to leave (see the first post above). Now that it has shown up this year (same bird) we decided it has to go. We are speaking about just ONE bird. He now has a target on him.

iRONic · May 1, 2024

I will piggyback on the hate for the mourning doves! If I don't get out in the back patio early enough in the spring they try to nest in my wisteria.

This loudmouth idiot thinks it's cool to hang in this spot.

Lost_in_the_HTTP · May 1, 2024

I ain't a plinkin' no birdie fer nuthin.

I've got a few cardinals that roost under my awning at night or when it storms. They leave plenty of evidence on the ground below them.

pcgeek11 · May 1, 2024

I have no words.

It's only a Red Wing Blackbird, Dove, Cat, Dog, Goat, Horse, cow .....

Kristi Noem said after the dog killed a yard of chickens, "Its only one dog".

Sad to say you were outdone by a small bird with a brain the size of a pea.

https://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/WDCA/documents/Blackbirds_03_26_2020.pdf

You may want to think twice about killing it, I could be wrong but I don't think a door screen would be considered "Structural Property Damage".

Blackbirds
Blackbirds are a federally protected migratory species. Blackbird is a general term used to describe the subfamily Icterinae which includes, starlings1, orioles, cowbirds, grackles, red-wing black birds, rusty
blackbirds, Brewer’s blackbirds and yellow-headed blackbirds.

Lethal Options:
• A state depredation permit is always required to take blackbirds.
• Federal permits are always required unless acting under depredation order 50 CFR 21.43.
o Active nests (nests with eggs or nestlings) are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
and cannot be removed without a federal permit.
o Under depredation order 50 CFR 21.43, no federal permit is required to take certain blackbird species 2 under any of the following circumstances (must attempt non-lethal methods of control first):
▪ Where they are causing serious damages to agricultural or horticultural crops or to livestock feed.
▪ When they cause a health hazard or structural property damage.

RPD · May 1, 2024

pcgeek11 said:
I have no words.

It's only a Red Wing Blackbird, Dove, Cat, Dog, Goat, Horse, cow .....

Kristi Noem said after the dog killed a yard of chickens, "Its only one dog".

Sad to say you were outdone by a small bird with a brain the size of a pea.

https://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/WDCA/documents/Blackbirds_03_26_2020.pdf

You may want to think twice about killing it, I could be wrong but I don't think a door screen would be considered "Structural Property Damage".

Blackbirds
Blackbirds are a federally protected migratory species. Blackbird is a general term used to describe the subfamily Icterinae which includes, starlings1, orioles, cowbirds, grackles, red-wing black birds, rusty
blackbirds, Brewer’s blackbirds and yellow-headed blackbirds.

Lethal Options:
• A state depredation permit is always required to take blackbirds.
• Federal permits are always required unless acting under depredation order 50 CFR 21.43.
o Active nests (nests with eggs or nestlings) are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
and cannot be removed without a federal permit.
o Under depredation order 50 CFR 21.43, no federal permit is required to take certain blackbird species 2 under any of the following circumstances (must attempt non-lethal methods of control first):
▪ Where they are causing serious damages to agricultural or horticultural crops or to livestock feed.
▪ When they cause a health hazard or structural property damage.

So lets continue with your logic, where are you stopping, is it OK to kill ants, cockroaches or termites? If so why them but not what is on your list? Please be specific. What about rats, of if a fox or wolf is taking advantage of domesticated animals. Again be very specific with your reasoning.

pcgeek11 · May 1, 2024

RPD said:
So lets continue with your logic, where are you stopping, is it OK to kill ants, cockroaches or termites? If so why them but not what is on your list? Please be specific. What about rats, of if a fox or wolf is taking advantage of domesticated animals. Again be very specific with your reasoning.

Did you see where that bird is a federally protected species?

This is as specific as I'm going to get, maybe it will be good enough for you.

I try not to step on bugs etc. I treat my house and sheds to keep these critters Bugs, Termites, Rats and mice away so that I don't have to take excessive measures. I haven't had any issues except a few rats in my sheds and I used live traps and took them to the river woodlands to release them. Then sealed up the sheds and keep it treated with a rodent repellent. A wild fox, raccoon, hawk or some other predator following their normal instincts would be my fault for not taking adequate care of my small livestock. A wolf would be another story and could possibly require more drastic action esp since they usually work in packs. We don't have any wolves in my area of the country.

In a nutshell I don't wantonly kill animals or creatures for just doing what they do naturally. I will say that there are exceptions as there always are. Such as If I suspected an animal raccoon, dog cat etc... was rabid on my property I would indeed kill it as a precaution for my family and my neighbors sake.

RPD · May 1, 2024

pcgeek11 said:
Did you see where that bird is a federally protected species?

This is as specific as I'm going to get, maybe it will be good enough for you.

I try not to step on bugs etc. I treat my house and sheds to keep these critters Bugs, Termites, Rats and mice away so that I don't have to take excessive measures. I haven't had any issues except a few rats in my sheds and I used live traps and took them to the river woodlands to release them. Then sealed up the sheds and keep it treated with a rodent repellent. A wild fox, raccoon, hawk or some other predator following their normal instincts would be my fault for not taking adequate care of my small livestock. A wolf would be another story and could possibly require more drastic action esp since they usually work in packs. We don't have any wolves in my area of the country.

In a nutshell I don't wantonly kill animals or creatures for just doing what they do naturally. I will say that there are exceptions as there always are. Such as If I suspected an animal raccoon, dog cat etc... was rabid on my property I would indeed kill it as a precaution for my family and my neighbors sake.

You went on with the list including doves among other animals.
But you do admit to "treating" your domical for critters, so it's OK to kill them if they are detrimental to your home. Got it.

gradoman · May 1, 2024

If you want to shoot the bird, I suggest a used A7III and a Sigma 100-600mm. Fairly cheap combo.

mindless1 · May 1, 2024

pcgeek11 said:
Did you see where that bird is a federally protected species?

I'm all for harmlessly encouraging birds to move on, and on that note, a toy rubber BB gun, or (low power) green laser pointer at its eyes, or even just scaring the crap out of it enough times (myself, or get a cat or air horn, etc) to encourage it to move on, are things I'd try.

If those don't work, it's dead. Could care less if it is a federally protected species. It's not like it's an eagle or that I'm going to brag about it on youtube.

I try not to step on bugs because it makes a mess on my shoe.

pcgeek11 · May 1, 2024

RPD said:
You went on with the list including doves among other animals.
But you do admit to "treating" your domical for critters, so it's OK to kill them if they are detrimental to your home. Got it.

Are you trying to make a point or something? There's a difference between termites ruining my home and killing a bird for being a bird.

RPD · May 2, 2024

pcgeek11 said:
Are you trying to make a point or something? There's a difference between termites ruining my home and killing a bird for being a bird.

Yes. You tried to come across as some savior to nature because someone wants to get rid of a bird and options have left him with shooting it at this point. Federal protection aside, this isn't a situation where a bird, for the first time landed on their lawn, he pulls out a 12 gauge shot gun and blows it away for "being a bird". The OP has tried numerous tactics to get the bird to go else where that have failed. Oh but that bird must be SO much smarter because he's "winning". No, the person probably has this thing called a job that isn't killing a bird at his house that refuses to go away.

pcgeek11 said:
I have no words.

It's only a Red Wing Blackbird, Dove, Cat, Dog, Goat, Horse, cow .....

Kristi Noem said after the dog killed a yard of chickens, "Its only one dog".

Sad to say you were outdone by a small bird with a brain the size of a pea.

So apparently you had some, dare I saw many words.

pcgeek11 · May 2, 2024

RPD said:
Yes. You tried to come across as some savior to nature because someone wants to get rid of a bird and options have left him with shooting it at this point. Federal protection aside, this isn't a situation where a bird, for the first time landed on their lawn, he pulls out a 12 gauge shot gun and blows it away for "being a bird". The OP has tried numerous tactics to get the bird to go else where that have failed. Oh but that bird must be SO much smarter because he's "winning". No, the person probably has this thing called a job that isn't killing a bird at his house that refuses to go away.

So apparently you had some, dare I saw many words.

LOL.

Yeah that's it.

Lost_in_the_HTTP · May 2, 2024

Out mowing today and a couple of itty bitty baby bunnies started scurrying in front of me. I watched to make sure they got clear. I've hit them before and it weren't purdy. I don't think I got one this time. Haven't found any de-parted baby bunny bits.

But I have to wonder if some people might plink'em to keep them from getting fur on the mower blades.

pcgeek11 · May 2, 2024

Lost_in_the_HTTP said:
Out mowing today and a couple of itty bitty baby bunnies started scurrying in front of me. I watched to make sure they got clear. I've hit them before and it weren't purdy. I don't think I got one this time. Haven't found any de-parted baby bunny bits.

But I have to wonder if some people might plink'em to keep them from getting fur on the mower blades.

Be careful or someone is going to call you a nature lover!

RPD · May 2, 2024

pcgeek11 said:
LOL.

Yeah that's it.

Well you posted it so...🤷‍♂️

pcgeek11 · May 2, 2024

RPD said:
Well you posted it so...🤷‍♂️

I didn't " try to come across as some savior to nature". I spoke as a normal human being that don't like killing animals for following their instincts. You on the other hand just want to argue about this and just be intentionally obtuse about it.

I'm finished and don't think I will respond to you again about this subject.

WelshBloke · May 2, 2024

I'm with pcgeek on this one. It's an outside bird doing outside bird stuff. Just let it be.
Odds are if you shoot it there'll be a different outside bird doing outside bird stuff outside soon.

Getting Rid of a Red Winged Blackbird

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