There are a lot of terms you are going to hear when it comes to birds. In particular, you may have heard many people talking about roosting. What does this mean? Well, we are going to get into this in more detail. But, something you should know is that if you are a property owner, you need to be able to recognise this behaviour. It can become troublesome. So, let’s get started.
What is Bird Roosting?
Roosting is simply another word that is used for birds when they rest and sleep. So, when you see them stay in one spot, they might puff out their feathers and look relaxed. This is an example of roosting. They make sure that they choose a place to roost very carefully.
Something that you should be aware of is communal roosting. This is something that a lot of birds often do. It means that they rest and sleep in a group. In particular, this is going to happen in the same area. So, when you see a lot of birds gathered together in a spot, this is communal roosting.
How Do Birds Choose a Roosting Spot?
Birds can roost in a number of different places. Namely, what they are looking for is a place that is safe from predators. It will also offer warmth or at least some shelter from the elements. Often, this is somewhere high up and where other animals and people cannot reach them. After all, they want to enjoy their rest and feel secure. Indeed, if a roosting spot is really great, birds will choose that place for nesting too.
So, roosting can happen almost anywhere. But, there are some spots that birds often select. For example, you can see some small birds in trees and bushes. Larger species will choose to gather in parks and around ponds. In more urban areas, it is common for birds to hang out on buildings. This is something that property owners need to know because it has the potential to cause a range of problems. Apex Bird Control offers solutions that can prevent the issues from occurring the in the first place. You will want to be proactive to prevent the problems we are about to discuss.
Why is Bird Roosting a Problem?
You may be wondering why bird roosting can be such a problem. Well, for property owners, it really can be a big deal if birds choose your building. Let’s start with the obvious issues that arise.
Birds are Noisy
One thing’s for sure; you are going to know when birds are roosting on your building. They can be very noisy when they are in groups. They have the ability to wake you up in the morning, as well as cause a lot of unwanted noise during the day. Do not underestimate how disruptive this can be.
Can Turn Aggressive
As it gets into the breeding season, there are a lot of bird species that can turn aggressive. They do not like people getting near to them and if they are trying to build a nest. So, if you have a family or there are customers visiting your building, things can get dangerous. Birds can attack.
Create a Mess
Birds really can create a mess. For instance, the area where they are roosting is also going to be used as a toilet. This means that bird guano is going to be all over your building. With a group of birds, this can create a huge mess. It can be in hard-to-reach places, but it is very visible to passers-by. It can even have an unpleasant odour.
Cause Damage
Of course, nobody likes the sight of bird droppings all over a building. But, what a lot of people do not realise is that bird guano is more than just an eyesore. It is actually damaging and can cause lasting damage to a building. Over time, your building can sustain damage that lowers its value. This is the last thing you want to happen.
Potential Safety Hazard
We have mentioned that birds can be aggressive. But, we have not shared that bird guano can be dangerous too. In fact, there are a lot of diseases and sicknesses that can be spread by birds themselves, as well as guano. So, having this around on your building is not a good idea or something that you want to encourage.
What Can You Do About Bird Roosting?
Ultimately, you need to be proactive and stop birds from roosting on your building. There are humane options out there that you can try, such as having anti-bird netting, spikes or mesh installed. The purpose of this is to prevent birds from accessing areas of your building. So, when they cannot roost on windowsills, roofs or other ledges, they will find somewhere else to go.
Note that it is best to have professionals install anti-bird solutions. This ensures that it is done effectively and your building is not damaged in the process. Often, you can choose whether this solution will be temporary or permanent.
