Wing Entrapment

[MKaye]

My first wing Entrapment two days ago was devastating. My Christmas present was two waters edge 3 story houses with a multi purpose pole with pulley. I was skeptical about these aluminum houses after they arrived …everything seems sharp and dangerous about them. I found a female with her wing on the outside of the Crescent hole. I quickly lowered and was able to slowly get her wing back inside. When I opened the compartment there were two females that had been fighting. They both flew out within a few minutes but one wasn’t flying as well. It’s been two days and she has not returned. She had been paired with a male for the last couple of weeks. He now waits for her and stays there at night. Will the wing entrapment guards help and is it possible to put 12 on the houses now with so much activity? I have more birds than I have ever had. Lots of fighting for sure.
Would appreciate any advice. Thanks, M. Kaye

[brent]

Put them on when the birds are out. It doesn't take long if you get everything in order first and have it planned. Even if you do a few at a time. If they aren't sitting on eggs you have time. Brent

[C.C.Martins]

Agree with Brent, do a few at a time. Plan which ones and have everything ready. Wont be long and when your at your last few it will go much faster.
Perhaps Brent will be so kind and send the link to those thick WEPS?

[brent]

You can buy them from PMCA for 2.75. Listed as wing entrapment protectors. Brent

[brent]

I bought them and then cut the ends so they fit the opening. I used stainless steel screws to fix them to the front of the entrance. There was one already on the inside but the bird's wings would still become trapped. I had to thicken the protectors. Brent

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[C.C.Martins]

Brent, thanks! Did you get those exterior ones from PMCA as well? The bigger thicker ones?

[MKaye]

I’ve ordered the protectors From PMCA. I didn’t realize I needed them on the out side also.
I will get a couple people to help me. I’m sure we can get the ones for inside. The outside may need to be a project for next year.
Brent, the ones you have for the outside look like styrofoam, or totally different than the PMCA. Did you buy those from a different manufacturer? I sincerely thank you for all your help. Kaye

[brent]

Hi. The protectors that were inside the compartments were installed by the house manufacturer. I bought the outside ones from PMCA. They are made from a dense plastic of some type but easy to work with. Those that came with the house just weren’t thick enough so it was advised that I add exterior ones too. No more wing entrapment at all and the birds were not bothered by the thickness. Just make sure you don’t decrease the entrance hole size. You’ll see, it’s easy. Glad to help. Brent

[BioJoe]

both of those different types of wing entrapment protectors are from the PMCA. the inside style is what we used to sell. we later increased the thickness of the protector and had to switch to the material on the outside ones as a result

[C.C.Martins]

Thank you big Joe! Mr Barrow gave me a few and its driving me nuts where they came from. Good guards.

[John Miller]

Martins love those houses, but there is another entrapment risk as well. The interior wall hole is two inches, and you would think would be fine, but sometimes a bird will get wing entrapped there, and can't been seen. Why a two inch round hole inside would be a risk is odd; may be that just being on the inside wall it's a location for more fighting. A decade ago after it occurred several times, I took tin snips and cut slots in the holes, top and bottom, toward the back wall and bent the tabs over. Not pretty, but no more problems. Maybe the houses are made with 3 inch holes today -- let me know.

[brent]

John I’m not sure what you’re referring to. Could you show an example? Thanks, Brent.

[John Miller]

Brent

I don't have a photo of my cuts, but can get one on a less cold day. Martins are holed up today in Missouri, but tomorrow will be sunny and 50s. Meanwhile this is a link to the PMCA download of how to modify a "Trio" house (similar) by cutting round holes (or can be square) in interior walls. The holes should be three inch, not two inch as traditionally is used for exterior round holes. If two inch on the interior where a lot of fight occurs, wing entrapment is a risk. The Water's Edge houses with double compartments and crescent doors used to come with two inch interior walls holes; maybe they have changed. To enlarge, I used tin snips and bent tabs back over against back wall.

https://www.purplemartin.org/uploads/me ... on-434.pdf

[brent]

Oh ok John. I understand now. Thanks for the information. Brent