How to Keep Blackbirds Away from a Yard

All blackbirds are not alike. Blackbird is a general term referring to several North American birds, including grackles, cowbirds, red-winged blackbirds and starlings. These birds are larger than the songbirds most bird lovers wish to see visiting their backyard feeders. Blackbirds scare away other birds, empty feeders, leave large droppings and flock in large numbers. Keep blackbirds out of your backyard using a step-by-step method. Use one or all of the steps until the pesky birds find another place to roost.

Saw

Chicken wire

Cellophane tape

Iridescent tape

Barbed wire

Bird netting

Pie tins or CDs

Fishing wire

Radio-controlled airplane

Noise deterrent

Remove the food source. Blackbirds like corn, sunflower, rice and millet. If you have a backyard bird feeder, consider using different seed. Replace sunflower seeds with safflower. Offer feeders with thistle, which is preferred by smaller songbirds.

Block blackbirds from bird feeders. If using tube feeders, cut the perches shorter so the blackbirds cannot perch on them. Create a cage around feeders using chicken wire. The smaller birds will be able to get through the chicken wire. The blackbirds will not.

Make it hard to perch. Cover fence posts with bird spikes, making it uncomfortable for them to perch on your property. For a do it yourself deterrent, use cellophane tape or barbed wire on fence posts and other perching areas.

Scare them away. Iridescent bird tape is a simple, inexpensive way to scare birds from an area. The Mylar tape crackles and moves in the wind. The movement and reflection is frightening to birds. Make your own shiny movement by hanging pie tins or CDs on fishing line. Hang them on the eaves or from tree branches to keep birds away.

Chase them away. Use a radio-controlled airplane to chase blackbirds when they flock in the yard. Combine pest management with fun as you steer the plane toward the birds. Diving motions, like those used by a hawk or owl, are particularly effective.

Keep them out. Put bird netting around trees or over the patio. Netting can cover a small area or the entire backyard. This will keep all birds out of the area, but can be unsightly.

Make some noise. Noise-making deterrents, like propane explosion devices designed to frighten the birds, are effective if used properly. Use according to manufacturer instructions in the morning and late afternoon, when blackbirds are more likely to flock.

Blackbirds can become used to static scare tactics, like scarecrows and window decals designed to look like predators. While birds may be initially scared away, over time they realize the threat does not move. Use more than one method of deterrent and the element of surprise to keep your backyard blackbird free.