Outdoor Ontario

Discussion => Behaviour => Topic started by: Turtlebird on May 28, 2009, 11:06:33 AM

Title: Discouraging House Sparrows
Post by: Turtlebird on May 28, 2009, 11:06:33 AM

I have a few feeders set up under my deck, which, for awhile, was attracting a few different kinds of birds.  Now house sparrows have taken over.  They are trying to build a nest under the deck, and keep chasing other birds away from the feeders.  I also had an American robin nesting under the deck...the sparrows took over...tossed the robins eggs from the nest and started building their own shabby nest on top of it!   :evil:

So my questions are; is there any type of feed house sparrows will not eat, but will still attract other birds?  Can I destroy the nests they are trying to build?  I don't want to hurt any birds I just want to discourage them from hanging out here so much!!  Any other tips?  I want to attract native birds, not these invaders.

Title: Pesky house sparrows
Post by: Leslie Kinrys on May 28, 2009, 05:10:30 PM

Safflower seed attracts cardinals, chickadees. Sparrows, grackles and starlings don't like it. Nyger seed attracts goldfinches and siskins, but those pesky birds find it hard to eat out of a finch feeder. You can remove the House Sparrow nests to discourage them. You just have to be persistent. Hope this helps.

Title:
Post by: David Shilman on May 30, 2009, 05:42:12 PM

Yes, as long as there are no eggs or young, I would just break up the nest. As Leslie says, you'll need to be persistent because they will probably keep trying for a few days, even if you remove it every few hours.  Good luck!