Open Season on Aggressive Blackbirds

We've always tried to nurture nature and its creatures here at Highlands Golf.

But enough is enough.

After years and years of tolerating--albeit barely--throngs of these birds pooping on patio tables and chairs, harassing swimmers in our pool, dive-bombing our 14 year old dog or anyone trying to mow a lawn, or even myself while sitting quietly on the residence patio while trying to enjoy an early morning coffee, recent observations have led to a commitment of war with them.

Those recent observations include their increased aggression towards other nesting birds here, including Orioles and Bluebirds, Sandpipers (Killdeer) and Mourning Doves.  The last straw was when their numbers increased so quickly and radically that they've now taken over the nest tree of hummingbirds in front of the clubhouse.  They even dive-bomb golfers teeing off on number 1!

A male Brewer's blackbird.  They are indeed as mean-spirited as they appear...

Some people call the Brewer's blackbird a Starling.  Perhaps they're related, perhaps not.  But apart from the damage that starlings do to tree crops such as cherries and peaches, I don't recall starlings ever dive-bombing people.

Similar species are the following: 

• European Starling
• Brown-headed Cowbird
• Common Grackle
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Rusty Blackbird

The real "clincher" for me was when a golfer told me these aggressive birds often lay an egg in another bird species' nest!  How's that for guaranteeing a brood.

And speaking of broods, the many many we have here are now mating to create their second brood of the spring...all the while the birds they've been terrorizing are still trying to rebuild damaged nests and maintain a clutch of viable eggs.

So what are we going to do?

We'll phone a friend who is an accomplished marksman with a pellet gun...

And, despite my love of all things nature, I won't bat an eyelash as he hits his mark.
Hopefully time and again.

"We can get back to friendly skies," offers Kia, "if blackbirds discover it painful to hassle adults, children, pets, and other valuable birds here."


Read more about birds here.