Do Plastic Owls Scare Birds Away in Honolulu?

Yes, but only for short periods of time. Strategically placing fake plastic owls or hawks that look realistic will scare away birds for a few days. But, they aren’t an effective solution in the long run. 

Most birds like pigeons and crows are observant and diligent. They have evolved over millions of years to sense and detect predators and stay wary. So, the fake owl acts as a natural deterrent. But, once the birds notice that the owl is not moving, they will come and investigate. Ultimately, they will discover that it’s a fake and not a real threat.

One option is to move the fake owl after every few days. Even so, the birds might notice you moving it and see through the trick. Another option is to take down the decoy for a few days and set it up again in a new location. The idea is to make it act like a real bird, as much as possible.

Something similar can happen with scarecrows that mimic a person. In time, the birds will figure out that it isn’t a real person. After a few days, you may find them perching comfortably on top of the scarecrow.

These deterrents are not going to solve a bird problem on its own. So, using them in combination with other deterrents is a better idea. Physical deterrents like iridescent foil tape that reflects sunlight and bird scare balloons can also be used. Shimmering aluminum ribbons tied to a tree can also do the trick. If possible, combine it with an auditory deterrent.

Experts suggest that movement is the key to scare the birds away. For example, a brightly colored balloon with a fierce “predator eye”, tied to the roof can keep moving and bouncing in the wind constantly. This can scare the birds away for longer periods.

Here’s a common question. Which decoy is a better option, a hawk or an owl?

That’s not a difficult answer to guess. Hawks hunt during the daytime and are a known threat to bird species like pigeons, sparrows, crows, etc. In contrast, owls are nocturnal and hunt when these birds roost. So, the hawk is a more identifiable threat to these birds than an owl.

To make a fake owl or hawk deterrent effective, here are a few necessary tips to keep in mind.

• Since birds aren’t fooled easily, make sure that the fake owl looks realistic. At the same time, it should look menacing. There have been instances where even an owl with a moving head was not effective as it was not realistic enough. A more lifelike model reduces the rate of habituation.

• Location is extremely important to make the fake owl effective. For example, an owl placed on a high perch will be more effective than one on the ground. High surfaces like ledges and rooftops are also good locations. Always make sure that the owl remains in the sightline of the birds.
• Apart from changing the owl’s location every few days, you need to keep it free from dust and debris. In case the owl is visibly damaged or if its color fades, it will stop being effective.

If you’re looking for more effective solutions for deterring birds, using physical barriers like bird netting and spikes is a better option. Consider using other forms of visual and audio deterrents as well. Each of these methods has pros and cons that you need to carefully consider.
It’s best to choose a deterrent or a combination of multiple deterrents that offer an environment-friendly and humane solution. If unsure, you can consult a bird control professional to find out what will work best for your home.