Dispersing blackbirds and starlings from objectionable roost sites

Abstract

Frightening devices and other methods of dispersing roosting blackbirds and starlings are described along with the techniques for their proper application. In a study in the southeastern United States, exploding shotgun shells and noise bombs were used to disperse roosts of up to 1 million birds. Five roosts containing up to 1 million blackbirds and starlings were 96 to 100% dispersed by two to five people during three to eight evenings of harassment. Dispersal cost between $80 and$535 per roost