I am having trouble with one male sparrow; I am very reluctant to trap and kill him. I have had no trouble before and I am scared to death that he will harm our babies. how does everyone take care of the sparrows? Is there a humane way? I just don't have the heart to shoot him, do you use a BB gun, what happens if they don't die right away? I have never killed anything before in my life and am having a lot of trouble with this.
If anyone can help me I would appreciate it. Thank you all.
Jayne
Sparrows
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Guest
Jayne,
There are plenty of examples on this site concerning the damage that sparrows inflict on the martins. They'll peck the little ones to death then build their nest over the corpses.
Just think of them as cockroaches with bigger wings. Get a good pellet gun and learn how to use it. Traps work great but you still have to dispatch the little buggers and up close like that may be a little more difficult for you.
There are plenty of examples on this site concerning the damage that sparrows inflict on the martins. They'll peck the little ones to death then build their nest over the corpses.
Just think of them as cockroaches with bigger wings. Get a good pellet gun and learn how to use it. Traps work great but you still have to dispatch the little buggers and up close like that may be a little more difficult for you.
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Jayne,
It's something many of us don't enjoy but learn to do so that we can save the martins (and ourselves) the losses that come from not controlling House Sparrows and starlings.
Not all landlords euthanize these non-native birds (all native species are protected by law, but H Sparrows and starlings are not, since they are introduced species) Trapping them and releasing them elsewhere is not a great idea - you are dumping your problem in someone else's area. Shooting and/or trapping are the methods most landlords use. Here is a link to an Update article detailing some humane methods for disposing of trapped H Sparrows or starlings:
http://www.purplemartin.org/update/13(4)Humane.pdf
Also, if you click on the link for PMCA Home, and then Update, scroll through the issues in the right side of page. There are some very helpful articles available online - how to trap sparrows more efficiently, how to make pole guards, owl guards, etc - LOTS of good info is there to help landlords & wannabees. Here's one on trapping strategies:
http://www.purplemartin.org/update/HSControl.pdf
If you cannot destroy the birds you trap, better not trap at all, but just keep doing nest removals at least once a day - let the bird keep rebuilding but don't let them reproduce. This method will not eliminate the threat, however, and your martins will be at risk of having eggs punctured and nestlings pecked and sometimes killed.
I hope the info in the article will help you out - also read through the FAQ at top of page, and go through articles in Archives - there is a lot more info in those two sections.
good luck -
Louise
It's something many of us don't enjoy but learn to do so that we can save the martins (and ourselves) the losses that come from not controlling House Sparrows and starlings.
Not all landlords euthanize these non-native birds (all native species are protected by law, but H Sparrows and starlings are not, since they are introduced species) Trapping them and releasing them elsewhere is not a great idea - you are dumping your problem in someone else's area. Shooting and/or trapping are the methods most landlords use. Here is a link to an Update article detailing some humane methods for disposing of trapped H Sparrows or starlings:
http://www.purplemartin.org/update/13(4)Humane.pdf
Also, if you click on the link for PMCA Home, and then Update, scroll through the issues in the right side of page. There are some very helpful articles available online - how to trap sparrows more efficiently, how to make pole guards, owl guards, etc - LOTS of good info is there to help landlords & wannabees. Here's one on trapping strategies:
http://www.purplemartin.org/update/HSControl.pdf
If you cannot destroy the birds you trap, better not trap at all, but just keep doing nest removals at least once a day - let the bird keep rebuilding but don't let them reproduce. This method will not eliminate the threat, however, and your martins will be at risk of having eggs punctured and nestlings pecked and sometimes killed.
I hope the info in the article will help you out - also read through the FAQ at top of page, and go through articles in Archives - there is a lot more info in those two sections.
good luck -
Louise
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Guest
Dealing with house sparrows (HOSP) and starlings is one of the hardest things for new purple martin landlords to learn. The thought of killing the cute little sparrows turns many people off. Some never are able to do it, others adapt over time but still hate it.
I had bluebirds for years and never had any trouble with house sparrows. Last year, after a successful first clutch of 5, a HOSP pecked 3 eggs in the second nest attempt and 2 eggs in the third. I learned that having "no trouble with HOSP" means "haven't had trouble YET, but it is coming."
As well as the information Louise listed above, I have found the Sialis site, http://www.sialis.org , about bluebirds and bluebirding, to be very helpful. This site has a lot of information about HOSP and how destructive they are, and this link http://www.sialis.org/hosp.htm will take you directly to the section on managing house sparrows. BE WARNED! There are graphic photos of damage inflicted by HOSP on bluebirds.
Control of HOSP takes two forms - lethal and non-lethal. Some method MUST be employed, or they will take over the housing you provide for cavity nesting birds (bluebirds, purple martins, etc.) Non-lethal control primarily involves removing nests and eggs. Actually, in my opinion, you should not let them get to the point of laying eggs, but remove the nests daily. This gets tiresome, as the HOSP will begin rebuilding the nest the second you walk away. Another non-lethal control method used in bluebirding is the use of a Halo or Sparrow Spoker device. (See above site.) These work for bluebirds, but I don't know if they have been tried on purple martins.
Trap and release is a bad idea, in my opinion. The HOSP that you drive miles away either return to your yard or begin their dirty work in someone else's colony. Trap and wing trim has been advocated by some. See this link for directions on wing trimming: http://home.comcast.net/%7Efemad/p2/trimming_hosp.htm The idea is that once the bird's wings are trimmed, he is less aggressive and less able to take over your housing. This is a temporary fix only, as the flight feathers will grow back. It is a time-consuming process.
Lethal control is as it sounds - killing the sparrows. (By "sparrows" I mean only the non-native, alien invader the House Sparrow, not the good, native sparrows.) You can do this by shooting or trapping and killing. I don't shoot, so I am not able to give you advice on gun choices, etc. My only advice is, if you shoot (1) Know what you are shooting at and (2) Practice shooting until you are accurate, so that you can kill the bird in one shot. If you choose to trap, there are several different types of traps - see the PMCA Shop above for trap options. Once you catch (and correctly identify) the HOSP, you can humanely euthanize it as described in the link above and from Louise.
This is the dark side of martineering or bluebirding, one that I don't like and try to avoid whenever possible, but something which I have come to recognize is sometimes necessary. I understand your concerns, but take it from one who has been there - "Live and let live" only works when both parties agree. I let the HOSP live unmolested and they destroyed 5 potential bluebirds for no reason.
I had bluebirds for years and never had any trouble with house sparrows. Last year, after a successful first clutch of 5, a HOSP pecked 3 eggs in the second nest attempt and 2 eggs in the third. I learned that having "no trouble with HOSP" means "haven't had trouble YET, but it is coming."
As well as the information Louise listed above, I have found the Sialis site, http://www.sialis.org , about bluebirds and bluebirding, to be very helpful. This site has a lot of information about HOSP and how destructive they are, and this link http://www.sialis.org/hosp.htm will take you directly to the section on managing house sparrows. BE WARNED! There are graphic photos of damage inflicted by HOSP on bluebirds.
Control of HOSP takes two forms - lethal and non-lethal. Some method MUST be employed, or they will take over the housing you provide for cavity nesting birds (bluebirds, purple martins, etc.) Non-lethal control primarily involves removing nests and eggs. Actually, in my opinion, you should not let them get to the point of laying eggs, but remove the nests daily. This gets tiresome, as the HOSP will begin rebuilding the nest the second you walk away. Another non-lethal control method used in bluebirding is the use of a Halo or Sparrow Spoker device. (See above site.) These work for bluebirds, but I don't know if they have been tried on purple martins.
Trap and release is a bad idea, in my opinion. The HOSP that you drive miles away either return to your yard or begin their dirty work in someone else's colony. Trap and wing trim has been advocated by some. See this link for directions on wing trimming: http://home.comcast.net/%7Efemad/p2/trimming_hosp.htm The idea is that once the bird's wings are trimmed, he is less aggressive and less able to take over your housing. This is a temporary fix only, as the flight feathers will grow back. It is a time-consuming process.
Lethal control is as it sounds - killing the sparrows. (By "sparrows" I mean only the non-native, alien invader the House Sparrow, not the good, native sparrows.) You can do this by shooting or trapping and killing. I don't shoot, so I am not able to give you advice on gun choices, etc. My only advice is, if you shoot (1) Know what you are shooting at and (2) Practice shooting until you are accurate, so that you can kill the bird in one shot. If you choose to trap, there are several different types of traps - see the PMCA Shop above for trap options. Once you catch (and correctly identify) the HOSP, you can humanely euthanize it as described in the link above and from Louise.
This is the dark side of martineering or bluebirding, one that I don't like and try to avoid whenever possible, but something which I have come to recognize is sometimes necessary. I understand your concerns, but take it from one who has been there - "Live and let live" only works when both parties agree. I let the HOSP live unmolested and they destroyed 5 potential bluebirds for no reason.
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Guest
Jayne,
Usually I don't suggest the 'Trap and Transport' method for all the obvious and/or stated reasons in this thread and hundreds of others.
However, there are two things to consider in this case: If a person is set against killing a sparrow then trapping and moving is better than living with the pest. Over time the sparrows(who never leave) will make a push for your PM housing. It may not be this week or next but they will... What you are betting on is that every hour you are away at work, etc. a sparrow will NOT decide to take a crack at it. Eventually those dice roll 'snake eyes'.
The second point relates to the 'moving your problem to someone else' worry. This is not always the case. Your 'problem' is an incompatibility with martins and sparrows. Not every neighborhood has martins or is capable of supporting martins therefore do not have the problem you have. There are large sections around Austin that have older neighborhoods with houselots absolutely covered in trees with little to no open space for martins. Some areas have been so overgrown for decades that nobody on those areas have the location for supporting martins. Many of those folks have never had nor desire to host martins. ...don't ask me, I don't get it either!
As Louise mentioned above; trapping and moving isn't a great idea....but it beats leaving them within your martin colony. I'm a "list guy" and I consider it as a layered list of options. At the top of the list is eliminating every house sparrow in your colony area. At the bottom is letting the two species co-exist. In-between are the rest of your options. Find the one closest to the top that you could and would do and go for it.
Good luck dealing with this and all the other issues in hosting a successful colony. You'll find folks here to support you in either choice you make.
Dave
Usually I don't suggest the 'Trap and Transport' method for all the obvious and/or stated reasons in this thread and hundreds of others.
However, there are two things to consider in this case: If a person is set against killing a sparrow then trapping and moving is better than living with the pest. Over time the sparrows(who never leave) will make a push for your PM housing. It may not be this week or next but they will... What you are betting on is that every hour you are away at work, etc. a sparrow will NOT decide to take a crack at it. Eventually those dice roll 'snake eyes'.
The second point relates to the 'moving your problem to someone else' worry. This is not always the case. Your 'problem' is an incompatibility with martins and sparrows. Not every neighborhood has martins or is capable of supporting martins therefore do not have the problem you have. There are large sections around Austin that have older neighborhoods with houselots absolutely covered in trees with little to no open space for martins. Some areas have been so overgrown for decades that nobody on those areas have the location for supporting martins. Many of those folks have never had nor desire to host martins. ...don't ask me, I don't get it either!
As Louise mentioned above; trapping and moving isn't a great idea....but it beats leaving them within your martin colony. I'm a "list guy" and I consider it as a layered list of options. At the top of the list is eliminating every house sparrow in your colony area. At the bottom is letting the two species co-exist. In-between are the rest of your options. Find the one closest to the top that you could and would do and go for it.
Good luck dealing with this and all the other issues in hosting a successful colony. You'll find folks here to support you in either choice you make.
Dave
Mary Dawnsong gave me a tip, and it worked to perfection. 2 hosp were trying to nest in another compartment. My nesting martins were very agitated and stressed out. I cut a 1 3/8 dia hole in a piece of stiff white cardboard, and taped it over the opening the hosp were using. This allows the hosp entry, but keeps out the martins. Inside I laid a sticky cardboard mouse trap. Purchased at the local hardware. Bingo the male entered and was stuck. I waited for the female to enter, but she never did. She never returned either. The martins were so happy it was unbelievable.
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yvesquad
Hy,
Congratulation !!! Great ideal !!!! I will keep that in mind.
TNX Joeincan and Mary Dawnsong !
Have a nice day....
Yves
Congratulation !!! Great ideal !!!! I will keep that in mind.
TNX Joeincan and Mary Dawnsong !
Have a nice day....
Yves
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
and one more point, Jayne...
When the day comes that "you" discover broken PM eggs and dead PM babies and you know it happened because "you" did not keep the HS out of your PM housing, "you" will see red and be perfectly willing and capable of killing the little devils from then on.
It's unfortunate, but it usually requires the actual experience of witnessing the event for the impact to take full effect on us.
Fortunately, it only takes once...
When the day comes that "you" discover broken PM eggs and dead PM babies and you know it happened because "you" did not keep the HS out of your PM housing, "you" will see red and be perfectly willing and capable of killing the little devils from then on.
It's unfortunate, but it usually requires the actual experience of witnessing the event for the impact to take full effect on us.
Fortunately, it only takes once...
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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Guest
This is just a quick reminder to everyone. In many states (Michigan for sure) it is illegal to transport any wildlife. This fact alone would stop me from considering relocation.
If you just can't bring yourself to put them to sleep I'm not opposed to trapping them and clipping the flight and tail feathers off and releasing them. They will become part of the food chain. A Hawk, Owl, Snake or some critter will thank you for the free meal and you don't have to do "the dirty deed".
Remember too, we are not JUST protecting Purple Martins and Bluebirds by eliminating HOSP. Chickadees, Titmouse, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Tree Swallows and other native cavity nesting birds all benefit when we reduce the number of HOSP in our local area. We benefit by seeing an increase in the number of these much more desirable birds that need our help. Man introduced the House Sparrow and European Starling. Man has reduced habitat for our native cavity nesting birds to locate available natural housing. Man has the responsibility to do whatever we can to help all of our native cavity nesting birds because we have reduced their habitat and introduced two foreign enemies that kill our birds.
It is illegal for anyone to harm any native non-game bird. Why should S&S be allowed to do so if we can stop them?
Mark
www.michiganmartins.com
If you just can't bring yourself to put them to sleep I'm not opposed to trapping them and clipping the flight and tail feathers off and releasing them. They will become part of the food chain. A Hawk, Owl, Snake or some critter will thank you for the free meal and you don't have to do "the dirty deed".
Remember too, we are not JUST protecting Purple Martins and Bluebirds by eliminating HOSP. Chickadees, Titmouse, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Tree Swallows and other native cavity nesting birds all benefit when we reduce the number of HOSP in our local area. We benefit by seeing an increase in the number of these much more desirable birds that need our help. Man introduced the House Sparrow and European Starling. Man has reduced habitat for our native cavity nesting birds to locate available natural housing. Man has the responsibility to do whatever we can to help all of our native cavity nesting birds because we have reduced their habitat and introduced two foreign enemies that kill our birds.
It is illegal for anyone to harm any native non-game bird. Why should S&S be allowed to do so if we can stop them?
Mark
www.michiganmartins.com