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

[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

[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.

[Sooner]

I use snow fence. The orange plastic stuff. Wrap it around the front of the house, screw or Zip Tie it. Small birds go through, keeps the magpies etc out.

[Big Red 250]

Put a fence post in your yard close by and attach a gofer/mole trap to the top. Don't even need bait. Magpies will land on it. When caught, just walk up to it and give the magpie a healthy whack with a stick, or shoot it with a pellet gun.

[troutbug]

Originally Posted by Anvil1010

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

I agree, once I got rid of the magpies (killed and hung one for a week and now they avoid our house like the plague) and sparrows the songbirds came back. Sparrows and cowbirds are actually nasty buggers

[Anvil1010]

Originally Posted by troutbug

I agree, once I got rid of the magpies (killed and hung one for a week and now they avoid our house like the plague) and sparrows the songbirds came back. Sparrows and cowbirds are actually nasty buggers

Uggh, cowbirds too. Good call.

[troutbug]

Originally Posted by Anvil1010

Uggh, cowbirds too. Good call.

They are brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of other species. Nasty buggers. Same as magpies, killed a couple and the word spread lol

[FishOutOfWater]

[Savage Bacon]

Do they still sell the "trespassers will be shot" signs?

[Trochu]

Could you not just screw a strip of that metal pokey stuff on the roof they use to keep pigeons off buildings?

[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