Bird Pests On Demand FACTS

Feathered Friends or Flying Foe – Bird Pests FACTS

Bird Pests – Beautiful and graceful as they fly, The Indian Myna, the Common Sparrow, The sweet chirping of the Barbary Dove, or Rainbow Lorikeet, is music to our ears, but which birds are a pest and which are beautiful is not always such an easy question to answer. What could be wrong with seeing a Mallard perching daintily on a branch? Or a Red Whiskered Bulbul spying out his next meal?  Birds are part of our natural world and were here before us humans!

But what about nuisance birds who become troublesome to our societies?The department of primary industries and regional development: Agriculture and Food claim that, far from being a source of joy and cute to look at, some birds have become pests and a danger to Australia’s native birds.

These pest birds are responsible for damaging fruit crops.  They have ruined whole fields of cereal. And horticulture crops such as flowers, nursery products, turf, nuts and vegetables, haven’t been spared by these beaky pests either!

Bird Pests Can Cause Crisis

Species such as those mentioned above also invade the territories and take the food sources of other species native to Australia. Even in cities. A favourite food of the Emu Wren and the Neophema are small grubs and ground worms. These are smaller species than their counterparts listed above. And as such preyed upon by pest birds who see them as a food source.

When these larger pest birds eat, they eat twice as much as our small native species. In addition, bird pests cause the displacement of many native birds. The Emu Wren and the Neophema are beginning to join the endangered list of Native Australian birds such as Cassowaries and Albatrosses. Some are now starving to extinction. Native birds are no physical match for the more aggressive and larger pest birds.

The imbalance caused by bird pests eventually leads to the destruction of the ecological systems of these Native Australian Species. Not only is food ruined, but the territory too. These bird pests take the safest nesting places, water-rich grounds and places naturally bountiful in non-human food sources.  Nesting grounds aren’t available, making mating difficult. Food is in dire demand, and many die of starvation.

Destruction Caused By Bird Pests

Berries from trees and shrubs such as Rowan, Cotoneaster, Spindle, Berberis and Dogrose are the staple diet of many birds. So too, Honeysuckle, Ivy, Hawthorn, Guelder Rose and Pyracantha provide sustenance for many bird species. However, when eaten in such great numbers, the natural ecosystems can’t function as they should. Trees and shrubs become stripped bare, with no seedlings for next season.

These pest birds also foul houses and our infrastructures. The incalculable amount spent cleaning up bird fowl left on the walls and roofs of buildings goes into the millions. Unsightly white defecation is often corrosive to building materials, and after the cleanup, often come the repairs.

Filling in the plaster and wood, where the birds poop has been, repainting and “making good”, comes with a hefty price tag. Blackbirds will chomp down on wood for no apparent reason! What if that’s your window ledge they take a chunk out of? These costs are not including the wasted water, time, manpower and energy all of this takes. And somebody is paying. Will it be you?

Health and Safety Issues From Bird Pests

But that’s not the worst of it! These birds leave their defecation marks literally everywhere. Often due to the prohibitive costs and hassle of cleaning up, it is left as is. Insurance companies are unwilling to pay the bill. With money now in ever-shorter supply, everyone is becoming more conscious of the dollar in their pocket.  This means that all of that pest bird defecation is left to decay. It’s sitting, rotting, being eaten by small grubs, entering into the food chain. And therein lies the danger.

The issue with this is that the foul contains microbes and organisms. Harmful to other species. Especially other Native Species, who have either little or no natural inbuilt protection against these organisms. And no natural resistance or immunity to their diseases. Also, their poop enters the groundwater via filtration and the drainage system. Worryingly, this means that bird waste is getting into human drinking water.

Which Birds Are A Pest To Native Species – Bird Pests

Bacteria and parasites entering the drainage system is a dire situation for everyone. Who knows what other organisms this defecation will interact with and what unsanitary disease may develop? But at least humans have drinking water that has gone through sewerage treatment process. Which, for most city dwelling Australians, may be some small consolation.  For the moment.

Native wildlife does not have the same luxury. They are drinking out of fouled water sources, drinking infected water. Their already weakened immune systems are not ready or capable of defeating the diseases wrought by these pest birds. Other mammals sharing the same tainted water are sharing the same abominable fate. The termite eating Numbats are now on the endangered Australian Animals list.

The critically endangered tiny Pygmy Possums now number only 2000. These seed, berry and moth eaters only live near water in certain places. As there are so few of them, the genetic loss is a critical threat for such a small population. (https://www.natureaustralia.org.au/what-we-do/our-priorities/wildlife/wildlife-stories/australias-endangered-animals/#possum).

Bird Pests Control Solutions

As much as anything, these bird pests cause a great deal of nuisance to people and the way we live our lives. Bird poo is on our houses, our places of work, on the sidewalk and just about everywhere else between. Ruining the paint on our cars and occasionally pooing on people!

We have been tolerant and patient. We’ve coped so far, but how much more can we accept? These birds have: brought blight to crops, are wreaking havoc upon our ecological systems. They put native birds and mammals at risk and bring disease with them. What can we do? We all can play a part in keeping Australia a safe and clean place for us and our families. And for the beautiful and unique wildlife only found on our awesome continent.

By taking the time to call us, we can help you prevent or eradicate your bird problem. We are licensed and certified professionals with extensive experience, and we have the solution to your bird pest problem.  Keep Australia beautiful, Call today, and we can arrange an appointment for a professional assessment of your home or business.