Birds include crows, doves, pigeons, starlings, house sparrows, songbirds, vultures, woodpeckers, and all other birds. Most birds causing problems in gardens are classified as migratory non-game birds according to the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations and are protected. Starlings, house sparrows, and pigeons, however, may be controlled without a permit if they are causing damage to your home or garden. Remind callers that birds have enormous value as insect eaters, and to protect their role in the garden microcosm, we emphasize scaring away or excluding birds from access to home or garden.

What You Can Do

• Don’t encourage birds by providing feeders and water.
• Discourage nesting on your property by removing nests or installing sheeting or spikes to make ledges inhospitable.
• Cover plants such as tomatoes and fruit trees with netting.
• Use Mylar Scare Tape, hanging CD’s, plastic owls or scarecrows.
• Go out and shoo the birds.
• Get an automatic water sprinkler scarecrow
• Call the Audubon Society.

What You Can’t Do

• All birds except starlings, house sparrows, and pigeons are protected. Starlings, house sparrows and pigeons can be trapped with a permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or by authorization from the local County Agricultural Commissioner. However, as the matters of disposing of a live bird or having to kill a live bird next present themselves, we do not recommend trapping. However, if one is trapped it may be taken to the Wildlife Center (3027 Penitencia Road, San Jose 95132 where it will be cared for and then released in another area.
• No firearm, pellet gun, B B gun or slingshot may be used in any city or unincorporated residential area of Santa Clara County.
• Toxic baits and repellents are used to control bird damage in some agricultural situations; however they are not recommended for garden-type problems because of the potential damage to people or pets.