Grackles

Understanding & Controlling Grackles

Grackles: Beautiful but Troubling Birds for Your Property

Grackles may be known for their striking iridescent feathers, but when they begin roosting on your property, they can quickly turn a picturesque scene into a property manager’s worst nightmare. These bold birds may look stunning in flocks, but the damage they can cause is anything but beautiful.

Why Are Grackles a Problem?
Grackles are highly adaptable birds that like to roost in large groups. Once they take a liking to your property, they can easily nest in places like rooftops, HVAC systems, and ledges. While their nesting habits may seem harmless, they can create serious problems. Their droppings are corrosive and can erode paint, metal, and other building materials, leading to expensive repairs. Grackles can also clog vents and air ducts, disrupting HVAC systems and causing ventilation issues.

The droppings of grackles, like those of other birds, can carry harmful bacteria, including Salmonella and E. coli. These bacteria can contaminate surfaces and food, creating potential health risks for employees, tenants, or visitors. Moreover, grackles, like many birds, can also carry avian influenza (HPAI), a form of bird flu that can be transmitted to humans in rare cases.

Health Risks of Grackles
Grackles can be carriers of avian flu, Salmonella, and other infectious diseases. The risk increases when grackle droppings dry out and become airborne, which can lead to respiratory issues for people in the vicinity. As grackles are often in large groups, the potential for disease transmission is higher, particularly in commercial and industrial buildings with many employees.

DIY Solutions Aren’t Enough
Attempting to solve a grackle problem with DIY methods like hanging up reflective items or using decoys often falls short. Grackles are intelligent and adaptable, often bypassing these solutions. In fact, without a professional, tailored approach, the issue is likely to persist and may even escalate.

Why Bell Bird Control Is the Solution
At Bell Bird Control, we specialize in bird exclusion services that are customized to your property and the specific bird species causing the issue. Grackles, in particular, require a specialized approach due to their tendency to roost in large numbers and their ability to adapt to different environments. Our non-toxic, non-chemical solutions, such as spikes, netting, and bird proofing HVAC systems, are designed to keep grackles away without harming them.

Our team works closely with your property’s management team to assess the situation and implement an effective strategy that will prevent these birds from taking over your space. With over 15 years of experience in bird control, Bell Bird Control has the expertise to design a solution that works for you.

To Wrap Up

Grackles may put on a spectacular show in the sky, but when they start roosting on your building, it’s time to call in the experts at Bell Bird Control and make sure the show’s over for them!

 FAQs

 

  • Common grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) are large, iridescent blackbirds native to North America, known for their glossy plumage and piercing yellow eyes.​

  • They inhabit open woodlands, marshes, and urban areas, often nesting in trees and shrubs near human activity.​

  • Northern populations migrate south for winter, while southern populations are typically year-round residents.​

  • They are omnivorous, feeding on insects, grains, fruits, and occasionally small vertebrates.​

  • Yes, they can be aggressive, especially during breeding season, and may displace other birds from nesting sites.​

  • They use a variety of harsh calls and squeaks to communicate, particularly during social interactions.​.

  • Breeding occurs between March and July, with females laying 4 to 7 eggs per clutch.​

  • The incubation period is about 12 to 14 days, primarily by the female.​

  • Yes, they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making it illegal to harm them without proper permits.​

  • Utilizing bird control solutions like visual deterrents, noise devices, and habitat modification can help prevent grackles from nesting and roosting.​