How to Decorate a Home With a Life Sized Owl

Choose a life-sized replica of an owl that displays naturalistic attributes. A statue with realistic markings, especially one that is equipped with motion and sound features, mimics the characteristics of a natural predator.

Select a suitable location for the decoy, such as the top of a post or the edge of a rooftop. A tall perch would provide a real owl with a clear view of potential prey.

Mount the fake owl securely at the desired location, according to package directions. Many decoys come with holes already drilled and screws for affixing to solid surfaces. Others, such as those with movable wings, may be hung from a tree branch or shepherd's hook.

Move the decoy's location every couple of days. Animals that notice fake owls stay only in one place may ignore them as a real threat.

Add diversity to a collection of owl decoys, instead of using just one type. A variety of sizes, colors and shapes may indicate numerous threats to animals that respond to different cues.

Augment owl decoys with other scare tactics that may safely drive away unwanted animals, especially nuisance birds such as pigeons. Additional elements may include tied balloons and metallic foil strips or garland hanging in the area.

Rotate the type and location of fake owls periodically. Changing selections piques the interest of nuisance animals and alerts them to a new potential threat.