Research Information — Birds
Birds are great to watch. It’s easy to get caught up in feeding them and attracting them to observe their beauty. Unfortunately, these vertebrates can become pests if they nest in buildings. In some cases, bird mites, the blood sucking insects that lives on most bird species, can be introduced. While some birds, like woodpeckers and barn swallows, are protected by federal law, others, such as pigeons, are not. In various cities, all birds are protected by city or county ordinances. If you are having problems with birds, we will be happy to assist you in determining whether the bird is protected and the most cost-effective, permanent method of managing them. Give us a call for a free inspection and quote.
Caution – We know that wildlife like bats, squirrels, raccoons and birds pose a public health risk to humans. Cleaning their urine, droppings and nesting materials should be handled with care. Be cautious of the information you choose to follow if you handle your own cleanup. Only refer to credible sources such as The Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nas/RDRP/appendices/chapter6/a6-133.pdf. for information. If you are not comfortable with the cleanup process, please contact us; we can perform the service for you or provide information and guidance.
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Quick Facts
(click on an image to view its quick facts)
Barn Swallows
Downey
Woodpeckers
Canadian
Geese
Northern
Flickers
Pigeons
Sparrows
Starlings
Barn Swallows
Color: Tail long and forked, upperparts steely iridescent blue, underparts rufous.
Size: 6-7 inches
Feeding Habits: Catches insects in flight, often low to the ground, An open cup of mud and grass. Lined with fine grass stems, hair, and feathers. Nest is fastened to a vertical wall under an overhang or placed on a ledge.
Downey Woodpeckers
(most common at higher elevations)
Color: black back and wings with areas on head and wings, belly is white and has a small beak.
Size: smaller birds about the size of a sparrow 2 ½ - 3 inches tall
Feeding & Habits: They glean ants and beetles from the bark of tees. They also eat fruits, seeds, nuts and cambium. The Downey woodpecker also forages in shrubs, does not migrate, but it may move upslope in the Sierras during the summer. Nests mostly in trees hollowed out by insects.
Canadian Geese
Color: Brown/black with white underside
Size: larger birds, 6.5-20 lbs
Feeding & Habits: geese are vegetarians, eating a variety of plant species and parts, especially grasses, sedges, grain and berries. They often feed in flocks, and have become fond of farm-grown grains, especially corn and shoots of winter wheat. These birds are exceedingly adaptable to human-altered habitats and are common on suburban parks, lawns and golf courses causing problems in lawns and with there droppings.
Northern Flickers
(most common at lower elevations)
Color: Grayish brown, barred on top, spotted below, black crescent on chest, rump white, conspicuous in flight, yellow or red patches in wings obvious in flight.
Size: 11-12 inches
Feeding & Habits: Insects, primarily ants, fruits and seeds on the ground. Digs hole in trees and buildings for nesting sites. Problem usually in the spring and fall.
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Pigeons
Color: Color variable, but wild birds are gray, white rump, rounded tail, usually with dark tip, pale gray wings have two black bars, wings broad with moderately pointed wingtips
Size: 11-14 inches
Feeding & Habits: eats seeds, fruits, rarely invertebrates on the ground in flocks. Roosts and nests on ledges and cavities on buildings and rock cliffs. Causes damage with there droppings and nesting materials.
Sparrows
(English)
Color: Small, stocky songbird, bill thick, legs short, chest unstreaked, wingbars, male with black throat and white cheeks
Size: about 6 inches
Feeding & Habits: eats seeds, especially waste grain and livestock feed, also weed seeds and insects. Nest a ball of dried vegetation, feathers, string, and paper, with opening on side. Placed in cavity, on building, or in tree. Nests in small colonies.
Starlings
Color: Stocky, black bird, short, square-tipped tail, pointed, triangular wings, long pointed bill, yellow in breeding season, Shimmering green and purple feathers in spring.
Size: 8-9 Inches
Feeding & Habits: eats invertebrates, fruits, grains, seeds, and garbage. Nests in cavity; cavity filled with grass or pine needles and other things, such as feathers, paper, plastic, string, and rootlets. Nests located 2-60 feet above ground, average 10-25 feet.
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