I am needing some ideas on how to stop owls harrassing the budgeis at night, they have been doing this for over a week, so far I have seemed to have stopped the problem temporarily by covering up the whole cage in both aviarys with sheets at night, I spotted the owls cruising very close straight past the cages numerous times and really giving the budgies one heck of a fright, I think I will have to make some permanant covers that are not transparent but will let the air through any ideas would be greatly appreciated

 

thanks so much jlee

Hi Jlee,

 

I haven't had an owl problem, but I HAVE had a hawk problem. I have managed to control this without even realising I did.

 

My Aviary has shade cloth on it that I was using to keep the heat out during the hot weather. At the time, I didn't realise it was stopping the hawk from scaring/attacking my budgies. I only realised this after it landed on the top of the aviary, but didn't prowl and stare down the budgies and try and attack. Instead it just rested then took off to the neighbours' house.

 

The shade cloth is breathable and at the same time isn't clear so it may work for you? My mum works for an animal rehab centre so I can ask her about deterrents for owls

thanks Amy I was thinking about using shade cloth, the birds have been getting frights at night for the last week, I thought it was a cat as by the time we got out there when they were scattering what ever had caused it was gone, I finally saw the owls last night they were swooping about 10 cm past the front of my 5 metre aviary now as soon as the budgies hear them they all take off in hysterics, I put my daughters fake (but looks very real) kitty on the cage last night and covered it that seemed to fix it, but while I was outside the owls were actually swooping very close to the kids and I when we were near the aviary while we were trying to fix the problem, they don't seem shy what so ever we waited out there and tried to scare them off they were just looking at us like we were strange

What about hanging some Cd's around? I'm not sure if that would work with an owl but it does work with other predatory birds - scares them off.

 

Or maybe some blinds?

 

OR A double layer of overhead netting separated by a 5- to 6-inch (12- to 15-cm) space may be used keep owls

away from penned birds. I have seen this done with a few aviaries and chook pens. I have also seen at a Restaurant in Fremantle here uses fishing line strung about above tables and chairs which prevents seagulls from landing and perching where people are eating out doors - maybe this could work too?

 

Or a fake owl or hawk? :kiss: hahaha i'm just guessing on what could or couldn't work.

 

It's rather disturbing that the owl is swooping you and your children :star: - if it keeps that sort of thing up, it may be best to contact a Raptor Specialist who can remove it from your premises...

 

Sorry I'm not much help

Could they be nesting? that would explain why they were swooping. They would also have to hunt more often.

I have an owl aswell but it lands on top of the aviary and scaring them

 

What should I do?

bunnings sell black metal cats with marbels for eyes seems to work on tawny frog mouths.

Cover the roof of the aviary...

Using CD's and the bladder of cask wine work well for general birds during the day, but that is because the sun shines off them... this scares the birds away. It sounds like you have received some good tips thus far. You may need to do a combination of them and even change it up every so often... especially as your 'predator' seems to be quite game. Good luck and please let us know how you go. Also... have you tried googling it??? You'd be amazed what a general search will come up with.

 

 

all im going to say is

 

one its unfortunate that you have owls scaring you birds but they are one of the most beautiful pray birds around so please dont try to hurt them

 

owls can be deterred by the noise of a wind mill (they ones that you get at garden shops with the coloured ribbons as the turn they make a swooshing noise quiet loud you can make your own with a old bike wheel and ribbons this way it can suit your taste also the budgies will get use to the sound other wise chimes in all the trees :}

and close to aviary not just small ones or just run out with a pot when ever you see them and clang it loudly as you run out

they will stop comming if they think that your going to run out clanging a pot every time they want dinner

if they are nesting you will need to call your local fishery's and wild life they will have to move them if you mention them swooping your children ( or was that someone else that happened too ?? )

any ways loud noise as owls work on stealth and silence