CLOSED: mocking birds

The mocking birds are eating the new fruit from my trees, what can i do to discourage them from my yard,also their droppings are on the side of our house and ruin the paint .Elaine Smith

Hi luc_y, Since you have the trees already theres not much you can do except maybe strip the fruit from the trees so there won't be any interest.I'm not sure I'd recommend putting netting over the trees as it might hurt some wildlife.

You might try asking this question over at the Wildlife forum to see if theres any more suggestions. :-) Heres the link.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/wildlife/all/


Have a good day!




This message was edited May 12, 2008 10:31 AM

What about that tree netting. It's designed exactly for the purpose of keeping birds from the trees.

Or maybe the fruit forum:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/fruit/all/

Mockingbird's are fruit and berry eaters so if you don't want them eating the fruit you will have to use netting for the trees. I know of no other way to keep them out of your trees since fruit is a staple in their diet. As for the droppings, you will have that with most birds.

Regarding the droppings on the side of the house ... I'm not sure what to tell you about that. Are they nesting next to the house or are the fruit trees in that location? We have Mockingbirds nesting in a Hibiscus bush in our front yard and they don't seem to be making any mess with droppings on our sidewalk, driveway or house.

I hope you are able to find a solution to your problem, but this is nesting season so please check the trees to make sure there are no nests in there before covering with netting. You don't want birds being trapped ... babies in nests and parent birds not being able to get to them to feed them.

This message was edited May 13, 2008 5:33 PM

I am not in favor of using netting on any plant/tree. Way to dangerous for birds (they get caught easily and die :( and other wildlife also.)
Maybe someone has different ideas? GM

Agree with Grandmaggie (and well said!!). If netting really has to be used, stretch it taut, so birds bounce off it rather than getting tangled in folds of loose netting. And make sure it is high visibility netting.

But best of all, be willing to share the fruit! It'll save on your bird feeder costs ;-)

Resin

Thanks Resin for some more good ideas. I learned a long time ago to share my berries and plums! I have plenty to go around for all. GM

"Plant one for the weather, one for the birds and one for you." My Dad told me this 40 years ago, and I still see it happening n my yard today. Good luck with your fruit, I rinse the bird droppings off of my house every weekend. If you wet them down and come back around later to rinse them off, its easier.

I love that idea too nanbernier! I have a neighbor that hates that the squirrels devour the birdseed. I said I just put out enough for all the critters! Don't have kids but my food bill stays high ... birdseed, fruits, nuts, peanut butter ...

The squirrels in my woods don't like the corn I was putting out for them near as much as the BOSS, so, like you said; no kids, but the food bill is high!