What Attracts Birds to Awnings?

Awnings provide protection from predators and the elements

As humans increasingly encroach on bird habitats many of them leave the area. Others, however, adapt to their new environment and use criteria such as food and water availability, nesting materials and protection from predators and the elements to decide where to nest and roost, according to wildlife specialist Mark E. Hostetler of the University of Florida. Awnings are an attractive nesting site for many birds because of the protection they offer.

Protection

Pigeons, sparrows and starlings are considered nuisance birds.

Birds are attracted to awnings because they protect them and their offspring from the weather and predators. Blackbirds, starlings and similar birds form roosts or neighborhood homes twice a year after nesting and they look for many of the same features that they seek for their nesting site, according to wildlife specialist Thomas Barnes of Kentucky University. The nesting site isn't always the roosting site for birds during the rest of the year.

Nuisance Birds

Buildings often resemble the roosts cliff-dwelling birds prefer

Pigeons, house sparrows and starlings are the most common nuisance birds in human homes, according to the University of Connecticut Agricultural Extension. Barnes adds that blackbirds are another common nuisance. The Massachusetts Audubon Society lists more birds that nest in or on buildings and houses: chimney swifts, cliff swallows, barn swallows, American robins, house finches, eastern phoebes, herring gulls, killdeer, American kestrels, barn owls, California wrens and even peregrine falcons.

Pigeons breed throughout the year, starlings from April to July and house sparrows may have two to three broods from April to September.

Food and Water

Hawks might find large suburban neighborhoods good hunting grounds.

Hostetler says that all birds have different ideas about an ideal habitat, but food is an important factor. A hawk may look for a large expanse of land for hunting, while a wren may find the food it likes best in your back yard.

Eliminating food and water sources (after you’ve identified the type of bird nesting in your awning) can help make the awning less attractive, according to the University of Connecticut Agricultural Extension.

Pigeons are so prevalent in urban areas, explains the Humane Society, because they were originally cliff dwellers and the city’s buildings are perfect for them. Also, they’ll eat almost anything.

Hazards of Bird Nests

Birds can carry parasites and pass infectious diseases to humans

The University of Connecticut Extension explains that bird droppings can damage and erode building surfaces, ruin vegetation and generally smell unpleasant. The droppings can cause electrical equipment to malfunction and nests pose fire hazards. Bird droppings on soil can promote fungal diseases and birds carry a number of diseases and parasites that put humans at risk.

Prevention and Protection

Owl or hawk figures can scare birds away

It’s important to identify what type of bird is attracted to your awning, because The Migratory Bird Treaty and Endangered Species Act makes trapping or killing most birds, or interfering with their eggs or nests illegal without a permit, says UConn. House sparrows, pigeons and starlings are not protected under this act, but you should check out the ordinances in your area.

You should also protect yourself when dealing with bird nests and droppings by wearing protective gear: face mask, gloves and coveralls. Your best bet is to employ deterrents before nesting season has begun.

The University of Connecticut and the University of Kentucky offer extended lists of methods to use to keep birds away from your awning, ranging from preventive products like bird spikes and netting to scare tactics such as ribbons, newspaper and hawk or owl figures. The Massachusetts Audubon Society also has helpful information about deterring bird nesting and identifying nuisance birds.

References

• University of Florida: A Bird’s-Eye View: How Birds Select Habitat
• Courier Press: Nesting Poses High Risks for Birds
• The Humane Society: Solving Problems with Pigeons

Resources

• University of Kentucky: Managing Urban Pest Bird Problems in Kentucky
• Massachusetts Audubon Society: Birds: Nests and Young