Placing a bird feeder in your backyard attracts a wide variety of wildlife. Not only are songbirds attracted to these free meals, but also raccoons, squirrels, rabbits and other small animals that feed on the seed dropped by the birds. However, such a concentration of small animals can attract unwanted visitors as well, such as hawks that feed on small prey. You can frighten the hawks away from the bird feeder.
Hanging visually frightening deterrents in areas that attract hawks can keep the songbirds at your bird feeders safe. For example, hanging shiny pie tins from the tall trees near your home can frighten hawks. The tins reflect sunlight, creating the illusion of movement in a way that the hawk will not understand and fear. Small scarecrows or balloons placed high in trees have a similar effect. If the songbirds spot these they may be frightened as well, but the songbirds likely approach from lower down from nearby shrubs and smaller trees, while hawks attack from above. Visual deterrents are less likely to scare the smaller birds for this reason.
Audio scares are more dramatic and should only be used if necessary. These scare techniques are effective if employed when you can see the hawk and know that it is watching the birds near your feeder. Nearly any loud noise scares away the hawks, so if you are close enough something as simple as banging a few pots together or clapping and yelling may work. You may have to do this several times before the hawk stay away for good, and this may scare away some of the desired birds as well, at least temporarily.
Laser pointers are effective in scaring away hawks, especially at night or near dusk. Point the laser a few feet in front of the hawk on the branch or tree and slowly move it toward the hawk, wiggling it to ensure it catches the hawks attention. When the hawk cannot determine what it is and it continues to get closer, the predator flies away from the perceived threat.
Remember that it is illegal in most areas to try to capture or kill a wild hawk. However, there are preventative measures that keep birds safe at your feeder. Position the feeder next to tall bushes or shrubs where small birds can dart as soon as they see a hawk nearby. Some feeders come in cages with holes large enough for small songbirds but too small for large hawks. Finally, taking down the feeder for a week to 10 days will make the hawk think that the small birds are not coming back, and the predator will move to a different hunting area. Rehang the feeder after the hawk threat passes.
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A bird feeder placed in your backyard will draw a variety of wildlife. These free meals draw not just songbirds but also raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, and other small animals that eat the seed that the birds drop. But an abundance of tiny creatures can also draw in unwelcome guests, like hawks that hunt small prey. You can frighten the hawks away from the bird feeder.
You can protect the songbirds at your bird feeders by hanging visually frightening deterrents in areas where hawks are likely to congregate. For instance, hawks may become frightened if you hang shiny pie tins from nearby tall trees. The hawk won’t comprehend or be alarmed by the tins’ ability to reflect sunlight, giving the impression that something is moving. Similar effects can be achieved by placing small scarecrows or balloons high in trees. The songbirds may also become scared if they see these, but they will probably approach from lower down from surrounding shrubs and smaller trees, whereas hawks will likely attack from above. For this reason, visual deterrents are less likely to frighten smaller birds.
Recall that attempting to kill or capture a wild hawk is generally prohibited in most places. But there are steps you can take to ensure the safety of the birds at your feeder. Place the feeder close to shrubs or tall bushes so that small birds can take off as soon as they spot a hawk in the area. Certain feeders have cages with openings big enough for tiny songbirds but too tiny for massive hawks. In the end, if the feeder is removed for a week or ten days, the hawk will assume that the small birds are not returning and will relocate to a new hunting location. Rehang the feeder after the hawk threat passes.
The use of audio scares should be limited to emergencies as they are more dramatic. When you can see the hawk and know it is observing the birds near your feeder, these scare tactics work well. The hawks are scared off by almost any loud noise, so if you are close enough, even something as easy as clapping and yelling or banging a few pots together might work. This may need to be done multiple times before the hawk leaves permanently, and it may also temporarily frighten away some of the desired birds.
Hawks can be effectively scared off with laser pointers, especially at night or close to dusk. Aim the laser a few feet ahead of the hawk on the branch or tree, and move it slowly in its direction while wriggling it to make sure the hawk notices it. The hawk flees from the perceived threat when it is unable to identify what it is and keeps getting closer.
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