Ideas to keep magpies off bird houses

[Greasemonkey]

Just curious what the city folk here do to keep the magpies out of your bird houses, I have cut wood with hole saw (2x4) and made a tunnel in front of the hole so the sparrows can get in but the magpies can’t get their babies, I WISH I could shoot them but in the city it’s not a option

[bloopbloob]

Originally Posted by Greasemonkey

Just curious what the city folk here do to keep the magpies out of your bird houses, I have cut wood with hole saw (2x4) and made a tunnel in front of the hole so the sparrows can get in but the magpies can’t get their babies, I WISH I could shoot them but in the city it’s not a option

Grease the roof....
They also don't like monkeys....


I don't know, but can you put large chicken wire or something around it. So the little birds can get in, but big bird has to go hang out with snuffaluf-agus instead? I got censored and had to spell it that way....

[gordfishing]

quiet pellet gun

[Tungsten,]

I fire my 2” nail gun at them. Tape the safety back and Rapid fire.

[Pioneer2]

Be killing the house sparrows as well.Both kill song birds.

[Anvil1010]

Originally Posted by Pioneer2

Be killing the house sparrows as well.Both kill song birds.

I was just going to say much the same thing.
No loss for sparrows to be killed.

[CaberTosser]

Maybe cut some 1 1/2” or 2” PVC or ABS pipe to an adequate length (experimentation may be in order) and use that as entrance tunnels. I
suspect the PVC might be a better option as it will be easier for the birds to see better when they’re transiting through it.

[nimrod]

And add a metal roof to the bird house, no traction or hot in the sun to perch on the roof

[JareS]

Originally Posted by Greasemonkey

Just curious what the city folk here do to keep the magpies out of your bird houses, I have cut wood with hole saw (2x4) and made a tunnel in front of the hole so the sparrows can get in but the magpies can’t get their babies, I WISH I could shoot them but in the city it’s not a option

Are the birds that are nesting House Sparrows (introduced and invasive) or one of the other dozen+ native sparrow species?

[slough shark]

I’m not sure what I dislike more magpies for killing all the songbirds and squawking or sparrows who I have to fight with for my strawberries and saskatoons