How to Get Rid of Cat Birds
If a flock of cat birds has settled in your neighborhood, they won't waste any time in making their presence known. Cat birds greet the dawn with a chorus of chirping interspersed with raspy squawks that continues until dusk. Territorial, they have no qualms bullying other birds.
Fruit lovers, cat birds can decimate a home berry patch. Even the most ardent bird enthusiasts may tire of living with cat birds and be grateful for some effective, non-violent removal strategies.
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Things You'll Need
- Bird netting
- Insecticide
- Bird repellent
- Hedge trimmers
- Iridescent foil flash tape
- Liquid bird repellent
- Garden sprayer
- Water gun
Instructions
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Discourage the Cat Birds
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1
Feed only seeds in your bird feeders; cat birds' bills aren't designed for seed cracking. Spray your yard regularly with insecticide so bugs don't attract cat birds. Drape bird netting over berry bushes and plants.
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2
Eliminate nesting spots by thinning your shrubbery with the hedge clippers. Remove any overgrown vegetation and thickets that offer the dense cover they prefer. While cat birds do sometimes nest in tall trees, they are more comfortable near the ground.
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3
Get a roll of iridescent foil flash tape at your garden supply store. Cut it into 2 foot strips and tie them 4 feet apart wherever you want to keep cat birds away. The sun's reflection on the tape--and the snapping sound the tape makes in the win--will frighten the birds.
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4
Get a liquid bird repellent containing either methyl anthranilate (MA) or dimethyl anthranilate(DMA), according to the University of Colorado Extension. Mix and spray it according to the manufacturer's instructions on all plants you want to protect from cat birds. DMA is a natural compound found in grape skins and birds dislike its taste.
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5
Find a water gun powerful enough to spray the birds from a distance. Start soaking them as soon as they approach you property. Remain hidden if possible so they associate the water with your yard and not with the water gun.
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Tips & Warnings
Cat birds, like humans, can't hear sounds in the ultrasonic range. Don't waste your money on an ultrasonic bird-deterrent device.
As wild birds, cat birds are protected under both federal and state laws. While you can try to keep them away from your property, you need federal and state permits to kill or trap them.
References
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Comments
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Funny, but we have fed the birds for years and never have seen a flock of Cat Birds. Somebody needs to learn how to ID a Cat Bird, more than likely Starlings or Grackles.
