The starling is a widespread, invasive species that is a cavity dweller. European Starlings can be identified by their black feathers with a greenish blue iridescence that’s covered in white spots, and having a pointed yellow bill. Bathroom, stove, and dryer exhaust vents are most commonly used by starlings to nest, but openings in soffit panels and soffit vents are also used. We have a situation with birds (sparrows/starlings) nesting in our soffitts. They fight for anything; from food to nesting spaces, etc. 2. Birds may also use the gutter area to gain entry into the soffit. Both sexes incubate for 12 or 13 days. A. Originally introduced to North America from Europe as pets, pigeons rapidly proliferated and became pests in the absence of their natural enemies. Starlings will nest in just about any cavity, but prefer holes in buildings (barns and open warehouses, signs, and in soffits) and in birdhouses and woodpecker holes or natural cavities in trees. Identification is essential for control. What would you suggest as a way to drive them out so I don’t trap any inside when I patch the hole? Sent in by Ami Johnson, Somerset Starlings are inquisitive and adaptable birds. When a nest is located in a chimney, moisture and carbon monoxide can be blocked from exiting the home which can lead to a build-up in the home of hazardous materials. This is a very common call in the spring/early summer, as is bird in the vent calls. Many houses built between the 1960s and 1990s have soffit vents (3 hole vents under the eaves) designed with screen door material stapled on the inside of those holes. Fowl mites can become common in these nesting sites, which can come down into the living space and cause unpleasant bites on humans. They’ll find their way into a loft, under the barge boards and just about anywhere there is a cavity large enough for them to squeeze into. Due to their bullying nature, they will take any suitable site, evicting any previous owner. Over time, that material weakens, and can be pecked through very easily by Starlings. Starlings frequently nest in home and barn soffits. Below we'll describe some common characteristics of Starlings, which separate them from other bird species. Nesting and Roosting Sites of European Starlings. Farms often attract starlings, but the birds can eat your … We often get calls to remove birds and their nests in soffits, attics, vents, and other entries into houses. I’ve got starlings getting through a hole in my soffit. They are significant bird pests in both urban and rural areas. Pigeons are disliked and considered pests because they contaminate public areas with their droppings, deface monuments, … In addition, cracks and other openings in eaves allow birds to enter homes, creating even more problems. Birds nesting in soffit vents may become hostile when residents venture too close. Between the roof plywood and the fascia board there is sometimes a gap. These 2 European Starlings worked nearly 2 hours to complete creating a nest in the eve of the roof. I’m thinking that a combination of the spider and some of the spray repellent might do the trick. Starlings travel in flocks that can number into the thousands. A bird will use the siding gap to enter then will normally nest on the soffit or the bird may nest in the attic. Take a look at this picture. It is just a mom raising her young, but this simple activity can lead to many problems in your home. i. Before you can treat you need to make absolutely sure that you are dealing with Starlings and not another species of bird. Birds will inhabit the soffit area of a home or building. Common problems Nests can also be made in soffit, roofs and roof vents. Usually about 8 to 9 inches in size. Starlings have been known to live 15 years and often return to the same nest every year. Starlings nest in suitable holes and crevices in buildings, utility poles, decaying trees, and holes in cliff faces, 6 to 60 feet above ground. Schemes, such as National Nest Box Week, which promote the erection of nest boxes, provide an opportunity for householders to attract these smart birds to their properties. Starlings are aggressive, move in large flocks, make a lot of noise, unfavorable habitats (to humans), and are very fertile. Lawns infested with turf insects are likely to be visited by thousands of starlings, which feed on the insects, and in the process, punch thousands of unsightly holes in the sod. You don’t want to block the opening that the starlings are using unless you are sure the young have left the nest. The incubation period for Starlings is 12 days and the nesting period is 21-23 days. Pigeons are the birds that pest control professionals are most frequently called upon to control. Males establish territories and choose nest … Birds nesting in soffitts. Bird droppings are also a nuisance. 1. The nest – a loose cup-shaped accumulation of leaves, stems and other plant material – is situated in trees, nest boxes, buildings and even in holes in the ground. Starlings are extremely clever when it comes to choosing their nesting site but with bird control you can ensure they’re nowhere near your residences. When they nest in urban areas they tend to frequent trees, exhaust vents, marquees, ledges, lighted signs, hollow lampposts, billboards, soffits, and dryer and stove vents. They nest in holes and crevices in a variety of man-made and natural structures. If these junctions are not tightly sealed, the starlings are able to enter the soffit space and fill it with nesting material – sometimes along the entire length of the soffit! Starlings are cavity nesters and often clog vent lines in homes. Deter starlings from eating livestock feed. Despite this, they are in serious decline, with the UK breeding population having declined by 65% over the last 30 years. Birds in the soffit is a very common problem with homes that are built in the last 20 years, unfortunately building practices over the last several decades has dwindled, craftsmanship is pretty much a thing of the past, builder are putting up homes that are efficient to build and that's all they are really concerned with. Starlings will take readily to nest boxes of suitable size and with an entrance hole of 45mm diameter. They nest and feed in a variety of areas. Their nesting habits on roofs, within soffits, dryer vents, and attics can cause structural damage and create dangerous fire hazards. Soffit NestStop is very easy to fit - simply screw to soffit - two screws per unit. If your birdhouses have large entrances, repair the entrance holes and make them smaller so starlings are unable to get inside. Soffit Returns Sometimes starlings may push their way into small gaps where soffit returns meet the roof. Both Male and Female Starlings are involved with nesting and incubation of bluish or greenish white eggs. Young Starlings usually leave the nest 21 days after hatching. A common area is where the soffit meets a roof line, there is normally a gap in the siding there. My husband was able to find the hole where they are entering. The next step is to check to see if the vents are already occupied. The most common area that we see as a potential nesting site in the Pacific Northwest is inside of soffit vents on a residential home. 1. Never remove a nest when birds are in residence - best time is winter months or any time before the problem arises. Fit jointing strap as shown to hold units in line - job done! European Starlings. Starlings also eat fruit, seeds and suet at bird feeders, and food scraps. Aggression. They are relatively small birds that are 7.9-9.1 inches long with a 12.2-15.8 inch wingspan. As such, starlings are one of the few bird species that is not protected by federal law and our most frequent nuisance bird. Also be careful not to overlook vents with flaps or louvers too, as they can easily be defeated by starlings. Can we just seal that up to keep them out or will they peck it open again? Starlings are one of the most common birds that find a way into a house through vents, chimneys, garages, or any 2 inch opening. When a bird makes it's home in the soffit area of a structure, it is associated with the reproductive activities of either house sparrows or European starlings. Their huge flocks and filthy habits have led many people to refer to them as "flying rats." Birds in Soffit Removal. Since their nests frequently hang above areas where people gather, birds in soffits are a health hazard. Their nests are in enclosed areas with at least a 1 ½” opening. Q. A starling nest inside a soffit Nests can be found in soffits, vents, church steeples, parking garages, and insulated walls in barns and warehouses. Previously we have had starlings nesting at the front of the house, but now they are nesting in the rear soffit and at this time are removing pieces of insulation outside through the vents. Once the starlings get inside, they will nest and raise their young. Their body color can vary, they can be completely black in color with iridescent green and purple hues, or they can be brown in … It seems we have a family of starlings nesting in the roof soffits on our house. The starling is a nesting bird. These come in to bully and even kill other harmless bird varieties. Reproduction: Starlings nest in isolated pairs. One of the things starlings are known for is their aggression to other birds. Many people view this as a harmless activity. Restrict Nesting: Starlings require an entrance hole of 1.5" in diameter to access a birdhouse.