Turkey Buzzards

[Ms.Minnie]

Over the last few years our neighborhood seems to have become home to a large group of turkey buzzards. Sometimes they sit on the roof, walk around on the roof, it sounds like there are squirrels in the attic but it’s the buzzers just hanging out up there.

They have had fights in our backyard. I’m guessing this is to establish the dominant male in the group. It’s really something to see, they all gather around and watch much like we do when watching boxing or wrestling.

There’s a very large and old tree that sits between our neighbor's house and our house, they love to sit up there just watching. Sometimes when DH and I are in the hot tub in our back yard which has a perfect view to the tree they sit there and watch. It kind of creeps me out, it’s like they are waiting to swoop down on us. I feel like I’m sitting in a pot of boiling water making people soup for them.

The reason I posted this is to see if anyone has any ideas on how to get rid of them. I’m concerned that they are doing damage to our roof with their sharp claws and in general they are kind of creepy. They remind me of the cartoon character called Beaky Buzzard who used to say or sing (can’t remember which) “My momma done told me, bring home something for dinner.” I don’t want to be dinner.

 

[kymom99]

Maybe some sort of sound? A radio or some kind of noise machine?

I don’t know where you are located, but in my area we have county extension offices where we could ask advice like this.

 

[nw6675]

Check this out - scarecrow motion sprinklers for the yard lol

https://www.birdbgone.com/bird/vulture-buzzard-control/

 

[bcla]

I’d be careful as they’re generally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. If they’re blocking a road that’s one thing, but otherwise harassing them could land someone in trouble.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...age-management/ct-species-by-name?sp=Vultures

 

[_19disnA]

I have seen those plastic spikes used on a lot of commerical roofs/overhangs to discourage all sorts of birds from landing/nesting there. Seems like a good alternative and encourages them to land elsewhere without harming the bird.

I seem to recall that you can also put a wooden hawk on a post in the yard to discourage birds that are afraid of them. Not sure if that includes a vulture, but might give it a try as well.

 

[NannyBeBe]

I suggest that you call your local Game and Fish Department. Vultures are decomposers and a vital part of the ecosystem. You certainly do not have to worry about any dead animals around your property.

 

[bcla]

I suggest that you call your local Game and Fish Department. Vultures are decomposers and a vital part of the ecosystem. You certainly do not have to worry about any dead animals around your property.

Don't know about that. My parents had to deal with a dead deer once, and the vultures didn't exactly clean it up.

And when they do start picking apart a large carcass, it can be pretty nasty.

 

[slo]

I have seen those plastic spikes used on a lot of commerical roofs/overhangs to discourage all sorts of birds from landing/nesting there. Seems like a good alternative and encourages them to land elsewhere without harming the bird.

I seem to recall that you can also put a wooden hawk on a post in the yard to discourage birds that are afraid of them. Not sure if that includes a vulture, but might give it a try as well.

View attachment 755301

I agree with this
We do this around our pool ledge to keep birds from landing on it and then on the ledge and in the water.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

I have seen those plastic spikes used on a lot of commerical roofs/overhangs to discourage all sorts of birds from landing/nesting there. Seems like a good alternative and encourages them to land elsewhere without harming the bird.

I seem to recall that you can also put a wooden hawk on a post in the yard to discourage birds that are afraid of them. Not sure if that includes a vulture, but might give it a try as well.

View attachment 755301

I agree with this
We do this around our pool ledge to keep birds from landing on it and then on the ledge and in the water.

Thanks for the suggestion. I have heard of people using owls to scare off some birds and small animals from Koi ponds. I have also heard that you have to keep moving them because the predators are pretty smart and figure out pretty fast that the owls aren't real unless they are moved regularly. Not sure how this would apply to turkey buzzards but probably the same would apply.

I will be looking into the decoy hawks, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[dizneegirl]

I love our turkey vultures, but they don't congregate on our roof... Wish I had a solution for you.