Predator guard for Crows

[sawhisker]

I live on a lake with no trees and powerlines running along the back edge of my yard. It is the perfect place for Purple Martins and I have had much success in the last 7 years of my landlord position. To say the least, I love my birds. I have figured out how to combat snakes, sparrows, mites, and buffalo gnats. Last year was my first year to lose Martin babies to crows. They were hitting the house and just ripping the babies out. I have two S & K 16 compartment barn houses that I have converted to have one two chamber suite and one 6 x 6 compartment on the top row with the same on the bottom row. The same arrangement is on the opposite side of the houses. The crows attacked the 6 x 6 single compartments. Aside from closing those off, how can I install an ariel predator guard for those compartments? I don't really want to close the smaller compartments because it will limit the number of nests I will get, but I would rather do that than leave vulnerable babies exposed to very smart crows who remember what they do. Can anyone give me some advice on how to protect those chambers or should I just close them up? Thank you in advance!

[Bird Brain]

I think adding gourd tunnels might be your best option. That way the crow couldn't reach them.

[Bird Brain]

duplicate

[sawhisker]

Can you add Gourd tunnels to a Martin Barn house? I don't have Gourds.

[h2y]

You can configure your house to have 6 - 6x12" suites and that should eliminate the crow attacks. See attached and see a recent post, "S & K MARTIN HOUSE", by Martinmelody. Hope that helps.

In 25 years, I've never had any problems with crows. In fact, I feed them to keep them around as they can't stand hawks & constantly pester them.

[sawhisker]

Thank you for the guidance on reconfiguring my chambers. I think this will work. Last question. If I convert two chambers to a suite, should I plug the opening of one of the chambers? If I plug one of the openings, should I drill a couple of holes in the plug to allow for a little more airflow?

[h2y]

You're welcome, glad to help a little. Yes, plug one of the 2 holes, the whole idea is to have 1 room completely isolated, no direct access to the outside. The result: all (vertical) middle cavities will be plugged along with 1 of the ends that go straight through. I pre-load the bedrooms only with <4" pine needles.

I notch out the doors at the top for 1) ventilation, and 2) to prevent the doors from catching, when opening, on the door release (for the floor above).

Also, don't use the attic rooms: too hot, the chicks will jump out to a certain death. Besides, although they are a larger single room, they don't offer an isolated room, safe from assault.

[sawhisker]

Thank you for the pictures! They are really helpful!

[Stingray]

Thank you for the pictures! They are really helpful!

Sawhisker,
You're not alone. I've had/have issues with crows. We have a LARGE murder of crows around our area. They are super intelligent birds and opportunistic predators.
Before I put up predator guards on my supergourds my next door neighbor observed a crow on my one of my gourds and then fly away with a baby martin. There were also the partial remains of another hatchling hanging from the edge of the crescent entrance. A horrible sight.
Since then, my wife and I have become more vigilant.
They still patrol my gourds and I'm constantly chasing them off.
Between, hawks, starlings, owls, crows, and weather we have our hands full taking care of our beautiful little songbirds, but they are so worth it.

Crows are not our friends.