Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control LLC News and Blog

• Grackles are often considered pest birds due to their loud vocalizations, aggressiveness, large congregating groups and the mess they leave behind with their droppings.
• Grackles are frequently a nuisance at restaurant patios and resorts - they steal food from peoples' dinner plates and leave their droppings on people and their tables.
• Grackles are known to raid farm crops, particularly corn and other grains.
• Flocks of grackles are called a plague.
• Grackles are quite intelligent and have been seen using tools to crack open hard nuts to get the seed inside, much like crows do.
• Grackles can imitate sounds, including human speech and mechanical noises.
• They play a beneficial role in the ecosystem as grackles help control the insect populations and are a part of the food chain.

Grackle Classification

Grackles are an interesting classification of birds that are part of the songbird group, the Icteridae family, which also includes orioles, blackbirds, cowbirds and meadowlarks. These medium sized birds have a beautiful iridescent plumage, aggressive behaviour, and are very adaptable to the environment they are in. They are found mainly in North and Central America, in cities, urban area, country settings, especially wetlands and agricultural area. In spite of their sometimes contentious reputation, these birds play an important role in the ecosystems they live in.

Harris Hawks (Parabuteo Unicinctus) are a favourite in the world of falconry due to their unique social behaviour, versatility and adaptability. Harris hawks are found in the southwestern United Sates, Mexico, and down into South America. They are the most frequently captive bred species of raptor used in falconry today.

Why are Harris' Hawks a Favorite for Falconers?

• Harris' Hawks are easy to train;
• Harris' Hawks are fast and athletic;
• Harris' Hawks have excellent situational awareness;
• Harris' Hawks are capable of the most complex and varied flight styles when handled by an expert master falconer;
• Their unique social behaviors make them more inclined to cooperate with others (the falconer, dogs, etc.).

Behavior and Social Structure

While most raptors are solitary hunters, harris hawks are known for their cooperative hunting tactics. They often hunt and live together in groups - usually family groups. One or two of them will flush out prey while the others in the group will actually take that prey down. This greatly increases their hunting success. Their social structure is rare among raptors. They. have been known to perform a unique behavior called “stacking” or “Back stacking” where they stand on top of each other in a stack of up to 4, or even sometimes 5 birds high. This may happen when there may not be enough suitable perches for them all to stand on their own, or when they want to gain a better vantage point to see prey or predators. They may do this for shade where the birds on top will spread their wings to shade those beneath them. 

For Restaurants, Hotels, Resorts and Golf Courses With Hawkeye Bird Control LLC

•  What is Bird Abatement?
  Bird control or abatement involves different methods to remove, eliminate and deter pest birds from an area. There are physical deterrents such as netting, bird spikes and electrical wire systems; visual deterrents such as fake decoys like scarecrows, fake owls, or using flash tape that move with the wind to scare birds away; auditory deterrents - noises that scare birds away. Visual and auditory deterrents typically only work in the short term - the birds get used to it very quickly and it no longer poses a threat to them. Habitat modification to remove food sources can deter birds. Hawkeye uses Falconry for abatement, our birds of prey scare pest birds away.
• What kinds of Birds can be scared away using Falconry?
  Pest birds is along list, including - grackles, doves, starlings, pigeons, seagulls, cormorants, swallows, crows, anhingas.
• Can I use falconry for bird control in wildlife protected areas/sanctuaries?
  Yes, falconry scares off the pest birds. Birds of prey are Mother Natures way of controlling bird populations and if done with all the proper state and federal permitting is perfectly legal.

Bird migration from North America to Florida is a fascinating phenomenon that involves a diverse array of avian species. This natural spectacle is driven by various factors such as seasonal changes, food availability, and breeding instincts. We will explore the intricacies of bird migration, focusing on the journey of these winged creatures as they travel from the northern regions of North America to the sunny destination of Florida.

The migration of birds is a remarkable feat that showcases the adaptability and resilience of these animals. Many bird species embark on long journeys covering thousands of miles, and North America serves as both the starting point and a critical stopover for many of these migratory birds. One of the primary reasons birds migrate south is to escape harsh winter conditions that make it difficult to find food. Florida, with its milder climate, becomes an attractive destination for these birds seeking refuge from the cold. The intricate interplay of environmental cues, hormonal changes, and innate instincts drives these birds to embark on incredible journeys spanning thousands of miles. Florida, with its diverse ecosystems, serves as a vital destination for these migratory birds, offering a refuge from harsh winter conditions and providing essential resources for their survival. This article will explore how bird migration from December to March can negatively impact buildings and commercial activities.

Pigeons are known to be exceptional navigators, with the ability to find their way back to their home even when released from hundreds of miles away. Despite many years of research, the exact mechanisms behind this homing behaviour remains somewhat mysterious. However, scientists have identified several factors that may play a role, including the use of pigeon pheromones.

Using this knowledge, Hawkeye has figured out how to use pheromones in the trapping process to its advantage. Pheromones can be used as an incentive to lure pigeons into live and humane traps. Due to the unique construction of our traps, the pheromones from previous birds linger in the trap and have proven to be extremely effective in drawing pigeons into the traps. In addition, we also use corn feed as an incentive to persuade the birds into the trap. These traps are capable of capturing multiple pigeons at a time and can accommodate up to 54 pigeons in one trap. 

Avian toxicants can be very harmful if administered incorrectly and can also affect non-target bird species.

Recently in Florida, a Broward County Pest Control employee took a bird control job in attempt to control boat-tailed grackles in the area. Since this species is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, techniques such as the use of toxicants are strictly prohibited. This employee will now be facing charges under this Act for the administration of Avitrol. Although Avitrol is legal to use for pest bird control, there are very strict guidelines, target species, and rules for administration. Unfortunately in this case, dozens of protected boat-tailed grackles were killed. In this article we will discuss the use of Avitrol as well as alternative bird control solutions offered by Hawkeye.