Crows and jackdaws

[shivvy]

Anyone got any ideas how I can deter these big black beasties from feeding from the bird table?  They demolish all the food in double quick time, but they also seem to scare off all the little birds.

[spudqueen]

If you put food in feeders and hang them up only the smaller birds should be able to get to it, though you can also buy feeders and ground feeding tables which have cages around them to stop larger birds and squirrels getting to the food.

[spudqueen]

Hi shivvy, saw your question about where to buy bird food on the question about feeding birds in the summer.  I buy my bird food from Tescos, it's the RSPB bird food in the green bag, or from www.birdfood.co.uk

You can buy cheaper food, though when I do I notice that a lot of it wasted as they just throw on the ground what they don't want to it, and the ground feeders don't seem to like it either!  Also, as quite a few people round here feed the birds, if I put out cheaper stuff (usually the stuff with a lot of wheat in it) the birds desert me and go to the neighbours gardens, so I personally find it a false economy to buy cheap bird seed!

[shivvy]

thanks for the advice spudqueen.

I have tried buying from the birdfood.co.uk site but got a pretty crappy service each time.  I have found a petshop near-by which is quite good and agree with you that there is no benefit in buying cheap food.

[spudqueen]

Hi again shivvy, my mother-in-law uses this site http://www.gardenbird.com/news_rdrs.htm don't know if you'll get better service.

[jimtom]

Hi Shivvy,
The problem with crows is that they are [in my opinion] nasty animals that do much damage to the song bird population especially at this time of year when there are lots of fledglings around.
I'll put up with a pair of them as all God's creatures deserve a chance but more than two living around my garden and I'm afraid more drastic action has to be taken.
I won't kill anything but have friends who have Larson traps. These trap the crows alive and they can be dealt with humanely. The same goes for Magpies. I don't have problems with Jackdaws, they're just a bit cheeky and not killers.
Sorry if this seems drastic but there are too many Carrion crows around in some areas.
Jim

[Gef]

Shoot them - it's not illegal.

[FP]

Jackdaws are actually quite timid and have an endearing quality.  They wait in our garden until the ring neck doves and woodpigeons have gone as they are frightened of them.  They are very unlike crows in their behaviour  and I love to see them at the bird table.  I have never seen them attack the small birds in all the years (26) they have been visiting our garden.

[Emily Ball]

Despite what Gef says it is not legal to shoot or kill in any other manner any wild bird in urban gardens, however much of a pest they may be. Do what spudqueen suggests and buy feeders which prevent access by  the larger birds.