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Everything you need to know about keeping starlings away from areas where they aren’t welcome
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Tiny, speckled starlings are beautiful birds, but they can be a big nuisance. Since they have no natural predators in North America, starlings are considered invasive. They can be aggressive and drive away other birds from their nests. Starlings also eat a lot of seeds, grains, and fruits, so they're pests around the garden. Try a combination of removal techniques to effectively drive starlings from your landscape.

1

Install wire prongs along ledges.

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  1. The prickly wires will prevent the birds from landing and nesting. Since starlings only need 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space to perch, completely cover flat ledges with the wire prongs or you might be surprised to find them cozying up against the spikes! [1]
    • Want to make your own wire prongs? Cut a wire coat hanger into 6 in (15 cm) lengths and bundle them together. Then, use a staple gun to staple the ends to the ledge and bend the opposite ends of the wires up at different angles so they poke out.
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2

Cover ledges to prevent starlings from roosting.

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4

Wrap wire around your bird feeders.

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  1. Don't want to remove your bird feeder? If you want birds like finches or chickadees to be able to access the feeders, make the food inaccessible just to the starlings—get 1 inch (2.5 cm) chicken wire and encircle the entire birdfeeder so they starlings can't reach the perches or get at the seed. You could also purchase starling-proof bird feeders that dispense food from the bottom of the feeder. [4]
    • Starlings have weak legs so it's hard for them to hang upside down to eat from the feeders. Don't worry—birds like woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches won't have a problem hanging upside-down to feed.
    • Avoid setting out cracked corn, sunflower kernels, millet, or suet since these will attract starlings. Instead, put out nyjer seed and safflower seeds for other birds since starlings have a hard time eating them.
5

Set up noisy alarms or sound machines.

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  1. Set up a speaker to play recorded distress or alarm calls or set up a gas-operated exploding device that makes a loud, startling sound when it goes off. These startle the starlings so they don't want to nest. Plan on moving the sound devices to a different area every few days. [5]
    • Frightening sounds work best along with a visual scare so set up things that look frightening to the starlings.
    • Ultra-sonic sound systems don't work against starlings since they can't hear the frequency.
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6

Place scary visual effects around your landscape.

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7

Cover your trees so the starlings can't roost.

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8

Remove nests whenever you find them.

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  1. It's really important to remove nests every time you find them so the starlings won't rebuild their nests. To remove an empty nest, wear gloves and pull out all of the nesting material. If you see young birds or eggs in the nest, wait until they leave before you remove the nest. [9]
    • Starlings like to nest in vents like dryer, stove, or exhaust fan vents.
    • You're legally allowed to remove starling eggs, but it's against federal law to remove nests or eggs of other bird types.
9

Seal openings to your home.

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  1. Starlings can squeeze through small openings. Attach hardware cloth or metal flashing to small holes that the starlings could use to get into your home. Check any vent on the exterior of your home like your dryer vent, for instance. [10]
    • You might see plastic netting or window screening for sale, but these materials aren't strong enough to keep really determined starlings out.
    • Avoid putting metal flaps over vents since starlings will still be able to get through these and into the vents.
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11

Use funnel traps to remove just a few starlings.

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  1. Although traps aren't effective for a lot of starlings, you can set out a trap if you've got a few year-round starlings. Funnel traps are really easy and effective! Just place the wire funnel trap on the ground and stick some berries or grains in it. The starlings will go in through the wide-end of the funnel to eat, but they won't be able to get back out. [12]
    • Try to set the traps at least 10 feet (3.0 m) from the nearest building so the starlings aren't startled away from the traps.
    • Traps can be a bit of a hassle since you'll have to drive the captured starlings far from your home in order to release them.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I raise ornamental pheasants. What can I do to remove starlings that will not affect the pheasants?
    Community Answer
    I would recommend putting netting around where the pheasants live, preferably less than 1" wide, so the starlings cannot invade their residence. I'd also recommend keeping the top of the enclosure covered to limit exposure to wild bird feces, which could pass diseases on to your pheasants.
  • Question
    Can starlings be killed with a pellet gun?
    Community Answer
    Yes, depending on the caliber and fps. Starlings can be easily killed with a .177 at 500 fps. The best shot placement would be the head, neck or heart.
  • Question
    How do I get rid of magpies?
    Community Answer
    You can record the sound of a magpie distress call and play it, or simply hang some old CDs on a tree. The birds don't like the way that light reflects off of CDs and other reflective objects.
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      Tips

      • If you're trying to get rid of starlings at a farm, clean up spilled grain and store grain in sealed bins so the starlings can't access the grain. [13]
      • Use a combination of techniques to really encourage the starlings to leave. Keep it up for at least a week so the starlings move on.
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      Warnings

      • Because starlings are considered a nuisance or invasive species, they are not protected in most areas. However, it's a good idea to check if you decide to hire a professional to remove the starlings. [14]
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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To get rid of starlings, limit their access to food and water. Put wide netting or cages around your bird feeders, which will allow smaller songbirds to get in but keep starlings out. Additionally, limit standing water, or keep it at a low level in a deep container to deter starlings from it. If you’re trying to frighten starlings away, put balloons, flashing lights, or shiny or reflective objects around your property to scare them. You can also use a sound machine to frighten the starlings away, or spray them with water, which they don’t like. To learn how to get rid of starlings by blocking access to places they like to nest, read on!

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        Sep 5, 2017

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