Wattle Birds- is there any way to shut them up?

[elusiveeditions]

Thought there might be some fresh ideas here, because I tell you- we're all out.

For the past 2 years we've had wattle birds waking us up at dawn, and it's peak squawking time now that spring has sprung.

It's the most annoying sound I've ever heard- beats a screaming baby by miles. At least you can attempt to DO something with a screaming baby. Nothing works on wattle birds, they just keep doing it. That noise waking you daily is a mild bform of torture.

Best method so far is the hose- I won't go through the almost-clinical trials I did last year, but I got it down to 2 hose-blasts and 15 mins. This year, I decided to be less insane and not let it bother me so much.

But, it's bothering me. The big male one started at 5.38am this morning and I know from my testing last year that it'll get earlier, and go for longer. Apart from 1) removing all trees and 2) an air rifle (am friggin' tempted)- has anyone had any success with getting rid of them? I can't be the only person copping this!

[patphil_1842]

I’ve got one too. I’ve tried the owl & have been spraying the trees with bird deterrent, just moves to a power line or a neighbouring tree. Every day 5am for 3 months. It’s bred and now there’s a whole family of them, they’ve attacked and scared off all the lovely smaller birds and the parrots. Destroying my life.

[tasfleur]

It could be worse ....

[ostr97]

hi 'elusiveeditions'.....just wondering if you found a solution to these tourtureous monotonous non stop peace destroying wattle birds....they drive me to the brink of madness ...especially right at this time (beginning of november) , do they really do this for the next 3 months?!!!...arrhhhh!!!!!

kaz

[icyfroth]

Is this what you  mean?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcxUndi2Lgg

I can see how it would drive you nuts.

Still, there's worse noises.

We are city-dwellers, and like the urban birdsong.

[chameleon54]

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@ostr97 wrote:

hi 'elusiveeditions'.....just wondering if you found a solution to these tourtureous monotonous non stop peace destroying wattle birds....they drive me to the brink of madness ...especially right at this time (beginning of november) , do they really do this for the next 3 months?!!!...arrhhhh!!!!!

kaz

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One of the vineyards that I run sheep in have problems with wattle birds eating the fruit. They use a gas gun to scare them away. It emmits a very loud bang like a cannon every five minutes or so. Seems to work very well and could be worth a try..........

[ostr97]

hi

no , not so many notes ....these ones have a variety of song , most of which are non intrusuve , even pleasant ...the present song is a one note gwarrk every 8 sec ..starting from 5.30am and , honestly , pretty well non stop all day , only stop when i scare them away by finding the tree there on an bashing it with a bit of poly pipe(does'nt hurt the tree)...today it's slowed down a bit...is this a mating call and it got lucky?

[icyfroth]

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@ostr97 wrote:

hi

no , not so many notes ....these ones have a variety of song , most of which are non intrusuve , even pleasant ...the present song is a one note gwarrk every 8 sec ..starting from 5.30am and , honestly , pretty well non stop all day , only stop when i scare them away by finding the tree there on an bashing it with a bit of poly pipe(does'nt hurt the tree)...today it's slowed down a bit...is this a mating call and it got lucky?

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Hope so, for your sanity's sake 

[jimmy*part4]

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@patphil_1842 wrote:
I’ve got one too. I’ve tried the owl & have been spraying the trees with bird deterrent, just moves to a power line or a neighbouring tree. Every day 5am for 3 months. It’s bred and now there’s a whole family of them, they’ve attacked and scared off all the lovely smaller birds and the parrots. Destroying my life.

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" I’ve tried the owl "

Have you tried a live owl?

[choiceprop]

I feel your pain! We just had one or maybe more recently move into our backyard tree. Aarghhh!

[rogespeed]

They are quite quiet where i am located , this bird species return around this time for nesting , but i suspect they have had about 100 years of , er, selective breeding....