Birds & Pigeons near you

It depends entirely on the species, and the answer is a state one. Native birds are protected under state and territory wildlife law — in New South Wales, under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, the same Act that protects possums — so interfering with a protected bird or its nest without the appropriate authority is an offence. Introduced species such as feral pigeons, starlings, common mynas and house sparrows are treated differently. Photograph the bird and the nest, get an identification, and if there are eggs or chicks, plan the work for after the breeding period regardless of species.

It needs to be done properly rather than casually. NSW Health advises that psittacosis infection usually occurs when a person inhales the bacteria, usually from dried droppings, mucous or feather dust from infected birds, and its prevention advice is to not let droppings build up, dry out or become airborne, and to wear a P2 respirator and dampen any droppings before cleaning. In practice that means never sweeping a dry accumulation or blowing it out with compressed air, wearing gloves and a proper respirator, and washing thoroughly afterwards.

Mesh screening around the perimeter of the array, installed after the space beneath it has been cleared. It has become one of the most common bird jobs in Australia because the gap between panel and roof is sheltered, warm and almost perfectly protected from predators. Left alone it collects nesting material against roof penetrations and around cabling, holds moisture, and reduces output. Have it done by someone who will work with your solar installer or at least avoid voiding the array's warranty, and have the roof beneath checked while the mess is out.

On the right surface, for the right behaviour. Spikes deter a bird from landing on a narrow ledge, a parapet or a sign, which addresses perching. They do nothing about a bird that has already got behind them into a void, and they do nothing about a nesting site, which is why spiking a building with an established roost inside it is a waste of money. Match the method to what the birds are actually doing: netting or physical closure for access, wire or spikes for perching, and repairs for the openings that let them in.

Yes, though it has to be more thorough. Proofing works by removing the opportunity to land, roost and nest on your building, and that holds whether or not there is food nearby. What a nearby food source does is raise the pressure on every weak point, so a gap you would otherwise get away with becomes the one they use. If feeding is happening close by, expect to need complete closure rather than partial deterrence, and to check the installation more often.