People who love ALL birds no matter what - please check the links to the right before you disagree with me...
I am into Bluebirds, Tree Swallows and other cavity nesting birds.
Male Eastern Bluebird (image from Wikipedia)
Starlings and House Sparrows are a big problem here in the US- they just take over nest cavities and boxes and as a result native species are declining in numbers.
I found a pair of Starlings harass a Woodpecker until he gave up and moved on... the Starlings started their nest (I intervened, however and plugged the hole)
During the last season I observed a male Bluebird fending off a pair of House Sparrows - they returned again and again (I finally took care of it by removing the male Sparrow).
Male House Sparrow (image from Wikipedia)I do have three boxes prepared for Bluebirds, two for Woodpeckers and one for Tree Swallows... in addition I do have some boxes for smaller birds like Chickadee and Nuthatch. Others are just mounted to keep the Wren busy.
European Starling (image from Wikipedia)
Both Starlings and House Sparrows are introduced alien species and for good reason not protected by law - however you are not allowed to torture them, of course.
Both species will try to go after every nesting cavity they can- be it hollow trees, nest boxes or gaps in sidings or in buildings.
They will stick around nest boxes and drive other birds out or prevent them from nesting.
I observed Starlings for days at BB boxes trying to get in - even though the hole is too small.
Their mere presence however is enough to have Bluebirds abandon the site.
I tried trapping with commercial available traps (sparrow cage traps) - with no success.
Since that did not work for me, I finally turned to my Diana 34.
Purple Martin (image from Wikipedia)The Purple Martin Landlords obviously do have huge problems with Starlings (see link to the right). Some do even set up commercial style box- traps (V-traps).
I however do not have the space for using large traps - therefore I turned to other measures.
During the winter time I simply bait Starlings and House Sparrows and shoot them with a pellet gun.
I do not like Starlings and House Sparrows but I also do not want them to suffer.
It is important to keep the target bird on a short distance (30 - 50 ft) and make a clean kill.
With some effort there should be a way to bring the numbers of both of these invasive species down.
I am aware that the Starlings as well as the House Sparrows are here to stay but it surely is possible to keep them in check.
My hope would be to find enough people who are interested to work on this.
Ideas or comments? - Please send me an email
Cheers,
Rainer Rothen, Burkittsville