How to deal with nuisance birds

Some species of birds can create a nuisance, including making a noise, fouling and even causing property damage. However, all wild birds in Northern Ireland are protected by law. Find out about the options open to you when dealing with a problem involving birds.

Protection

Choosing the right course of action is essential, as it is illegal to intentionally harm or kill any wild bird species. You are not allowed to take wild birds' eggs and disturbing, damaging or destroying nests is against the law.

Solving the problem without harming the bird

A broad range of techniques is available to deal with nuisance caused by birds. This includes:

noise deterrents such as recordings of the bird’s own alarm calls
using a scarecrow or model owl
using netting or bird-spikes, which prevent birds landing or accessing areas where they are known to cause problems

An example of where netting can be used effectively is with Herring Gulls. The gulls commonly nest on roof-tops where their noise and swooping at people can be a nuisance.

Netting the site before the gulls return in spring can prevent this problem from recurring.

Identifying a bird

If you are having a bird problem, it's worth identifying what sort of bird is causing the problem - it may affect what you can do about it. For example, disturbing certain specially protected birds when they are on or near their nest is illegal, so scaring would not be appropriate.

You can look the bird up in a book of birds, an encyclopedia or on the website of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

Illustrated list of birds in alphabetical order - RSPB website

You can find out more about laws related to wildlife and nature conservation in Northern Ireland at the following links to Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO).

Solving the problem without harming the bird

A broad range of techniques is available to deal with nuisance caused by birds. These include:

noise deterrents or audible scarers, like recordings of the bird’s own alarm calls or loud bangs
using a scarecrow or other visual scarer
using netting or bird-spikes (‘proofing’) to prevent birds landing or accessing areas where they’re known to cause problems
restricting access to food – for example, by cleaning up food spills immediately and keeping rubbish in secure bins

Using proofing

An example of where proofing can be used effectively is with the Herring Gull. The gulls commonly nest on roof-tops, where their noise and swooping at people can be a nuisance. Proofing the site before the gulls return in spring can prevent this problem from happening again.

Netting and spikes can also be used very effectively to prevent pigeons nesting or roosting.

Not feeding birds in urban areas

Feeding problem wild birds in public urban areas can make the birds expect food from people and can cause swooping. Swooping can scare some people, and large aggressive species like gulls can actually cause injury.

Feeding can also greatly increase populations of birds like waterfowl and pigeons.

Deterring birds: advice

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has advice on deterring a number of birds that are seen as pests, including pigeons and gulls. See the links below for further information.

Taking further action to deal with nuisance birds

Not all of the measures you can take are lasting solutions. The law recognises that in some circumstances you may be able to take action that would normally be seen as an offence (this is called ‘licensing’). Licences are only available under certain conditions, the two most relevant to nuisance problems being:

to protect public health and safety
to prevent serious damage to crops, vegetables and fruit

Local councils and nuisance birds

Local councils have limited ability to deal with bird-related problems, asthese aren't usually within their responsibility. However, in some circumstances, they may take action under a general licence to reduce feral pigeon or gull numbers for public health reasons.

Find your local council

Avian (bird) flu and dead birds

For information on avian flu and how to deal with dead birds, visit the Birds page.

Birds

Other organisations that can help with bird problems

The RSPB can offer you advice about birds and bird-related law, but does not collect young or abandoned birds – you should leave these where they are found. The RSPCA or a private veterinary practice can advise you on what to do with injured birds.