How to Keep Turkey Buzzards Off My Balcony

The Turkey Vulture, also known as the Turkey Buzzard, is a black bird the size of an eagle with nesting grounds covering almost the entire United States. Its superior olfactory senses assist it in locating carcasses on the ground while scouring the woods and countryside from the skies. Turkey Vultures possess social qualities that make them a potential nuisance for homeowners, including the tendency to congregate in large numbers in inconvenient places such as rooftops and porches. The US Fish and Wildlife Service's Migratory Bird Treaty Act gives the birds federal protection and makes it illegal to use lethal force to dispose of them unless they become a legitimate community problem or other measures have been taken and failed. More humane measures have shown varying degrees of success in chasing buzzards from homes.

Instructions

- 1
  Scatter the birds with loud noises, clapping and shouting. Use firecrackers and similar items if they are legal in your location. Be consistent and chase them away repeatedly.
- 2
  Place or hang shiny and bright objects on your balcony. Vultures may react with fear and hesitation when deciding whether to occupy the area again. Follow this up with a few blasts from your garden hose when they get too near.
- 3
  Place a sprinkler within range and turn it on each time they try to land. Consider purchasing a motion-activated sprinkler system in order to provide a constant means of harassment while you're away or occupied.
- 4
  Place some objects on the balcony to make it hard for the buzzards to land or stand comfortably. Tie some taut fishing lines several inches above the balcony surface. This is not an ideal solution for the long term but may encourage the birds to find another option after a few clumsy and uncomfortable landings.

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