Art may have won some battles, BUT he is unable to win the war against his feathered foes.
For those who don't know what I'm talking about, pigeons began nesting under our solar panels and using it for a toilet for several years. We started getting bird mite bites which drove us crazy.
So now it's war. We got the solar panel company to put critter (bird) guards around our panels after cleaning out all the nesting and debris.
Art has become adept at using a sling shot and small ice pellets to try to scare them off our roof. And yet, they kept coming back regardless of the fact they could no longer build nests under the panels.
So why is our roof so darn desirable for them? We don't feed them. We even asked neighbors not to feed them.
However, eventually they merely flew over to our neighbor's house across the street so they'd still have a bird's eye view of our house. Arrrghhh....😡 They liked to group together for warmth (?), comfort (?), protection? We kept a wary eye on them.
At sunrise, they would ruffle their feathers, spread out and start their planning. They checked to make sure Art wasn't around with his sling shot and then would swoop toward our roof.
POSTSCRIPT:
We went to the market in the early morning and was returning home when we saw several pigeons swooping toward our roof.
Incredibly, when they saw our car, they turned around and flew away.
So now you know. I can never tell cars apart and my brain can't remember car makes or colors that I see on the road. These pigeons know! These pigeons remember.
Now you know who's smarter. 🥴
This battle is so cool to follow. I guess I should call it a war, though: one consisting of many battles.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a hunter but I think in your situation, I would get a hunting license and learn to eat pigeon stew in the evenings.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid it's against the law here to kill feral birds. We wouldn't have the stomach for it anyway. We're starting to name some of those birds.
DeleteI am so sorry! This is just like squirrels at our bird feeders!
ReplyDeleteThe deer know our car. They just watch as we drive up the driveway, munching on pumpkins.
Oh, that's funny! I didn't imagine they would know your car, but it makes sense. Art is a predator who is determined to win this. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe old expression bird brain is meant to be derision, but the reality is quite different.
ReplyDeletePigeons can find their way over miles, so yes, they are observant and smart. But this is a health issue, so hope the guards that were installed are working.
ReplyDeleteLin Floyd says a loosing battle...if you ask me...lol!
ReplyDeleteSo interesting they can learn like that
ReplyDeleteIt must be frustrating to do everything you can think of (and such creative solutions) and STILL have them come back. But there has been progress!
ReplyDeleteArt has learned his enemy but his enemy has learned him. I still think putting a mannequin dressed like Art on the roof might work. Though if they can distinguish cars, they probably would be able to know if it was a real Art:) Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHow about some sort of moving (robotic) predator - something you can put on the roof that possibly activates with any motion (like a pigeon flying near it). Cat robot? Art robot? Motion and noise - maybe even 'lights flashing' might keep them away long enough for them to give up the spot...
ReplyDeleteI've seen water spouters on posts that are triggered by movement. Also (and I'm not sure you want to follow up on this one), the local fruit/cherry orchard owners have some sort of shotgun noise maker that scares the birds away from the trees whenever they fly close enough to activate it. Trust me--I know from experience you'll want to duck and run if you ever hear these noise makers go off!
ReplyDeleteWhat a war! Hopefully Art can win it!!
ReplyDeleteGO Art!!! We just put triangle 4x4's above our windows to keep the doves off since they would rest, poop and build nests. Since the outside face is so slanted, they have nowhere to land and now our window sills are bird free, finally.
ReplyDeleteArt's battle is more difficult unless he camps up there. Pigeons are really smart. But they are better than crows. I heard that crows can be very unforgiving if you threaten them and they never forget. They attack. So glad we don't have crows here!
You should perhaps seek the advice of the electricity company which has developed ways to chase pigeons away from its power lines.
ReplyDeleteOh dear. This seems to be a win some, lose some battle. Those pigeons are smart, but maybe not smarter than Art. Remember, they still have a lot less to remember and figure out than you. Apparently they do have brain cells that can distinguish cars though.
ReplyDeletePigeons are pesky dirty critters. They just never give up.
ReplyDeleteGo Art. I'd be tempted to fire something a little more lethal than ice cubes, within the city restrictions of course. I wonder why they are so attached to your roof?
ReplyDeleteThis drama with the pigeons is fascinating. I'm learning they actually recognize who you and art are, what kind of car you drive, ways to outwit you. It's utterly fascinating but be careful because I saw that old Alfred Hitchcock movie about what happens when birds gang up on folks.
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