Hold off, bird-enthusiast, there are actually some feathered friends that you DON’T want in your yard!
I know, birds can be a delight, chirping sweetly and bringing a bit of nature to your home. But there are certain species that can do serious damage in the garden – hurting your plants, stealing nests, or just making a ruckus that drives you crazy.
It’s crucial to identify these backyard bullies so you know which ones to keep an eye out for. And don’t worry; there are humane ways to manage them and keep them away from your great outdoors.
The birds you might want to avoid include…
1. Magpies, Smart Birds That Can Dig Through Your Yard Looking For Food
Magpies are like the relatives of crows and ravens – smart but not the best visitors!
While they can be fun to watch, you might want to keep them out of your backyard. I found this out when I got attacked by a flock defending their nest (not a fun story to remember). These bold birds can recognize faces, so if you get too close, you might become their enemy!
They’ll also dig through your yard looking for food – seriously, they will tip over pots and even eat the eggs and chicks of smaller birds.
Luckily, there’s a simple solution!
You can use shiny bird scare tape to keep them away. This tape flutters in the wind, making noise and reflecting light to confuse them.
Just hang it around your yard on stakes and remember to move it weekly so they don’t get used to it.
Related: Prevent Magpies From Ruining Your Garden By Following These Brilliant Methods
2. European Starlings Can Expose Your Fruit Crops To Diseases
European starlings can do some serious damage. These loud, aggressive birds love to flock together, and they can quickly turn over your bird feeders and push out shy native species.
Not only do they annoy other birds, but they also dig through gardens for insects and leave your plants in a mess. They have a taste for fruit crops, exposing them to diseases, and they don’t care where they nest, often taking over spots like bluebird homes.
They can also carry diseases, so it’s best to keep them away!
To prevent starlings from coming back, use feeders designed for smaller birds with weight-sensitive perches that collapse under their weight.
If you want to stick with your current feeders, try safflower seeds, which starlings tend to avoid. If they’ve nested in unwanted spots, cover those areas with bird netting.
Also read: Here’s Why Having A Cooper’s Hawk In Your Yard Is Not Good
3. Don’t Let Scrub Jays Pretty Look Fool You
At first, the scrub jay’s bright blue feathers might catch your eye, but don’t let their looks fool you!
These feisty birds are super territorial – they can scare off smaller birds and even scare hummingbirds at your feeders. They hog the food and bury acorns, leaving small holes and damaging your garden.
Their loud, scratchy calls can be quite annoying (definitely not the peaceful sounds of nature you want to wake up to!).
To keep these jays away, try switching to caged feeders that allow small birds to eat while blocking larger ones like scrub jays. Once the jays realize your yard isn’t a good food source, they’ll likely move on to find better dining options.
Also read: This Is The Reason Why You Should Avoid Attracting Blue Jays To Your Yard At All Costs
4. Ring-necked Pheasant Are Large Birds That Can Completely Ruin Your Garden
If you spot some movement in your backyard grass, you might have a surprise guest – the ring-necked pheasant!
While their colorful feathers can be delightful, these large birds can completely ruin your garden. As ground foragers, they scratch up the soil to hunt for food, which can tear up your lawn and damage delicate flowers and vegetable plants.
They’re not just after bugs – they’ll happily munch on roots, leaves, and tender buds too. Plus, they can be aggressive toward other ground-nesting birds, sometimes using their nests for their own eggs (can you imagine?).
These non-native birds might wander into your yard if you live near their range or if they’ve been released for hunting.
To keep them away, consider setting up a motion-activated sprinkler to give them a scare.
Installing fencing or netting can help protect your crops. And if you can, clear out weedy patches or tall grasses (these are primary spots for pheasants to find food and nest!).
5. American Crows Are Scavengers With Annoying, Loud Caws
Crows are smart and entertaining, but they can be real trouble for the yard!
They love to snack on veggies (especially corn) and will scavenge through your trash if your garden doesn’t offer much. They’re known for raiding nests and their loud caws can quickly become annoying (they seem to caw especially when you can’t sleep).
To deter these feathered pests, start by securing your trash cans and compost piles and clean up any fallen scraps right away.
Scarecrows can help – you can use a colorful human-like model and move it around to keep crows guessing. Mechanical deterrents work even better since crows adapt slowly to them.
And lastly, plant some shrubs or trees to give other birds a safe place to nest (this will help keep the crows away).
Also read: 5 Beautiful Perennials That Will Keep Birds Flocking To Your Garden All Winter