Birds chirping can be a pleasant sound, but it can also be annoying, especially if they start chirping early in the morning outside your bedroom window. If you need to find ways to get birds to stop chirping, there are a few methods you can try.
Understand Why Birds Chirp
First, it helps to understand a little bit about why birds chirp in the first place. Bird song plays an important role in bird behavior and communication. Here are some of the main reasons birds chirp:
- Territory – Male birds often sing to claim their territory and ward off intruders.
- Mating – Birds can use song to attract a mate.
- Communication – Birds may chirp back and forth to signal alarm, identify each other, or convey other information.
- Boredom – Sometimes birds chirp just to have something to do!
Knowing this provides clues about how to discourage the chirping. Anything you can do to make an area less attractive as territory, less conducive to mating, or to frighten birds away from chirping for communication reasons may help.
Physical Bird Deterrents
There are a number of physical devices and methods you can use to deter birds from landing and perching near your home, which should reduce chirping as well:
Bird Spikes
Bird spikes are strips of rigid plastic or metal with spikes that can be installed on ledges, roofs, railings, and other surfaces where birds like to perch. The spikes don’t harm the birds but make it impossible for them to comfortably land and sit, so they will avoid areas where spikes are installed. This can be highly effective, but it gives a building an inhospitable appearance some may find unappealing.
Netting
Netting and mesh can be used to cover areas birds frequently perch. They can still land on the net but will be unable to sit comfortably. To be effective, the netting holes must be smaller than the bird’s body size to discourage landing. Properly installed nets can be less conspicuous than spike strips.
Reflective Tape
There are reflective tapes and metallic streamers designed to deter birds from landing on a surface. As they twist and spin in the wind and sun, the flickering reflection frightens birds away. These can be used to cover preferred perches or entire trees and shrubs.
Awnings, Overhangs, and Coverings
Structural elements like awnings, overhangs, canopies, and roof extensions can be used over window sills, railings, ledges and other areas birds frequent. This covers their perches and limits access. However, they may still attempt to land on the covers and could potentially nest or perch on the structural elements themselves.
Sonic Bird Deterrents
There are also products that use sounds, ultrasonics, or vibrations to scare birds away from an area:
Predator Bird Sounds
Birds instinctively fear the calls of predatory birds. Sounds of hawks, falcons, owls, and other predators can frighten smaller birds away. This works best when played intermittently at random intervals to mimic real predator behavior.
Ultrasonic Devices
Ultrasonic devices emit high-frequency sounds above the range of human hearing. Some claim these noises will disturb birds and condition them to avoid an area, but their effectiveness is debated.
Sonic Net
Sonic nets produce ultra-high frequency sounds meant to be audible to birds while being inaudible to humans. Like ultrasonic devices, opinions are mixed on how well these work.
Vibration Devices
These gadgets shake and rattle structures at a low frequency, creating vibrations birds find uncomfortable, discouraging them from landing. They can work on windows, railings, and other potential perches.
Chemical Bird Repellents
There are also chemical repellents designed to be unappealing to birds:
Taste Aversion
Certain non-toxic chemicals have a bitter taste birds dislike. Repellents made with methyl anthranilate or sucrose octaacetate applied to surfaces will deter landing and perching. Reapplication is needed after rain.
Smell Aversion
Repellents may use smells birds find offensive or irritating, like garlic, capsaicin, or eucalyptus oil. Heavy scents may also mask attractive smells. As birds largely rely on scent to forage, strong odors may cause them to avoid treated areas.
Scare Tactics
Scaring birds physically when you observe them in problem areas can teach them to avoid your property:
Noisemakers
Make loud noises to startle birds away. Yell and clap your hands, bang pots and pans together, or use noisemakers and whistles. Sprinkling pebbles on roofs or windowsills also makes alarming sounds when birds land.
Scary Decorations
Set out decorations that frighten birds, like fake owls, snakes, or spiders. Lifelike predator decoys will scare birds more effectively than abstract shapes. Move decorations periodically to make birds think they are real.
Water Spray
Use hoses, spray bottles, and motion-activated sprinklers to give birds an unpleasant surprise when they land on your property. They will quickly learn wet areas are to be avoided.
Shiny Objects
Reflective items like old CDs dangling can startle birds when the sun hits them and scares them away. Mylar balloons and aluminum foil strips can have a similar effect.
Remove Bird Attractions
Making your property less attractive to birds can reduce visits from birds and opportunities for chirping:
Eliminate Food Sources
Birds congregate where food is abundant. Remove outdoor pet food, overflowing trash bins, and fallen fruit or seed from trees. Use bird feeders only when chirping is not a problem.
Remove Nesting Sites
Take away sheltered areas where birds may nest. Block access to roof vents, rafters, and cavities where they could settle. Trim overgrown vegetation and bushes where nests could be built.
Install Window Screens
Screens over windows can deter birds seen as reflections or glimpses indoors. Visible indoor movement may also prompt excited chirping. Screens block these triggers.
When Noise Begins
If birds start chirping at dawn, deterrents at night likely won’t help. Try these tactics to curb early morning noise:
Close Windows and Curtains
Drawing curtains or blinds helps muffle outside chirping, especially if windows are kept closed. Sound-dampening curtains also help absorb noises.
White Noise
Inside, try sleeping with white noise like a fan, humidifier, or white noise machine. This covers up and masks outside noises.
Avoid Nighttime Lighting
Exterior lighting including streetlamps and floodlights can signal dawn to birds, stimulating chirping. Minimize outdoor lighting shining into your sleeping space.
When to Call for Help
For severe bird problems and nonstop chirping, professional pest control specialists have access to high-grade deterrents and specialized expertise. A professional can assess your property’s unique situation and implement tailored solutions to curb unwanted bird behaviors.
Conclusion
Unwanted early morning chirping can be exasperating, but there are many techniques available to encourage problematic birds to move along peacefully. Installing physical deterrents, using sonic or chemical repellents, scaring with loud sounds and decorations, and removing attractions can train birds to avoid treated areas. With persistence and an integrated bird control strategy, you can reclaim tranquility and quiet in your home.