Butcherbirds - What to Do?

Need some general finch keeping help? Ask your questions here.
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Brisbane_Finches_333
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Help! I’ve got a Butcherbird that’s started hanging around the aviary and I’m a bit worried about the birds in there, especially the Ruddies. What should I do?
Aidan [] Junior Moderator [] Breeder of Native and Foreign Finches
Queensland Finch Society Member
2019 ABK Magazine Young Birdkeeper Winner
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Tiaris
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Either extra layer of mesh or war.
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Talven
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Location: Melton VIC

If you cant add the extra layer of mesh then you have to go on the offensive I guess.

Assuming you don't want a fatal solution to the problem. If you can get your hands on a short length of 15mm pvc or conduit pipe you can make a cheap and nasty glove gun. Cut a finger off an old pair of rubber gloves and duct tape it to one end of the pipe so pipe is inside piece of finger. Leave enough hanging off the end so you can drop something in pipe and stretch out the glove finger. Very low power compared to a slingshot so not likely to kill the bird or hurt it much really. Every time you see it shoot something through leaves near it or at whatever its perched on. You don't need to hit it as the constant and erratic bombardment will not be much fun for the bird.
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Brisbane_Finches_333
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I don't think I'd be able to do an extra layer of mesh in such a short time! The butcherbird's already dive-bombing the aviary.
Aidan [] Junior Moderator [] Breeder of Native and Foreign Finches
Queensland Finch Society Member
2019 ABK Magazine Young Birdkeeper Winner
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noah.till
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By some of the fruit netting from Bunnings and put that across the front of the aviary with a gap between it and the aviary mesh
If that doesn't work, invest in a sling shot and a cap gun, they work like little gems
Thanks
Noah Till
Downs Bird Breeders Association and Queensland Finch Society Member
2018 Australian Birdkeepers Magazine Young Birdkeeper
Javan Munia, Black Rumped Double bar and Aberdeen Breeding Project
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Brisbane_Finches_333
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I think it's a baby though 'cause it's really hard to scare off and it's hunched over. I tried tapping it with a shovel but it wouldn't budge.
Aidan [] Junior Moderator [] Breeder of Native and Foreign Finches
Queensland Finch Society Member
2019 ABK Magazine Young Birdkeeper Winner
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noah.till
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Is it fending for itself yet, if so trap it and move it somewhere else to eliminate further problems
Downs Bird Breeders Association and Queensland Finch Society Member
2018 Australian Birdkeepers Magazine Young Birdkeeper
Javan Munia, Black Rumped Double bar and Aberdeen Breeding Project
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Brisbane_Finches_333
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I don't think so. It keeps going up to the birdfeeder with its mouth open trying to beg for food but I don't wanna discourage it.
Aidan [] Junior Moderator [] Breeder of Native and Foreign Finches
Queensland Finch Society Member
2019 ABK Magazine Young Birdkeeper Winner
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noah.till
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Ok, all you can do is just defend your birds and hope they bugger off, give the black fruit netting a go, here is a picture of the stuff i use https://www.google.com.au/search?q=blac ... 6j5_16-hzM:
Thanks
Noah Till
Downs Bird Breeders Association and Queensland Finch Society Member
2018 Australian Birdkeepers Magazine Young Birdkeeper
Javan Munia, Black Rumped Double bar and Aberdeen Breeding Project
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collector_and_buyer
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I f you can tap it with a shovel and it doesn't move,why don't you just remove it ? for heavens sake.
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