Birders may look for bird-friendly landscaping and space for feeders when they're buying a house, but a flock of vultures weren't what a pair of Florida homeowners were expecting when they moved into their new home last year. According to the News-Press, the Fort Myers couple are unwilling landlords for up to 50 black vultures each day. The birds roost on the home's roof and deck, as well as any cars parked nearby.
Different techniques have been tried to discourage the birds, including noisemakers, spikes and a whistling motion detector, but with only limited success. The birds are protected and lethal methods of removal are not permitted, but one recommendation is for the homeowners to use a fake dead vulture to scare the roosting birds away, leading them to believe there is a deadly threat in the area. Of course, there are many birders who might welcome the appearance of a backyard vulture!
Do you have any vulture species that have visited your yard? Share your unusual backyard birds in the comments!
Black Vulture
Photo © Jackie Finn-Irwin
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