Raptors used as pest control from offshore rigs and orchards to the MCG

July 28, 2024 9:13 PM

Raptors used as pest control from offshore rigs and orchards to the MCG and Melbourne Cup. Soaring above her worksites, the mere presence of Sabrina the wedge-tailed eagle is enough to move on the hundreds of seagulls, long-billed corellas, cockatoos and other gathering flocks to their natural habitats.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (7 comments total)

it's a heck of a way to crowd control aavians.
I would imagine each kind of bird has its own call for danger and the raptor has that stenciled on its wings.
posted by clavdivs at 11:19 PM on July 28, 2024

Great article! "While it is illegal to use birds of prey to kill wildlife in Australia", why is that? Seems a weird law.

This is practiced in New Zealand too, so far only for vineyard protection in partnership with the kārearea or New Zealand falcon. They are amazing birds, I was out in the back-country a couple years ago and one cruised silently past me giving me a very hard side-eye.

Very much the top-level predator here, but sadly (along with all other NZ wildlife) threatened especially by domestic cats
posted by unearthed at 12:46 AM on July 29, 2024

"While it is illegal to use birds of prey to kill wildlife in Australia", why is that? Seems a weird law.

My understanding is that it’s more that it’s illegal to kill, capture, trade or hold captive birds of prey without a permit, and the states and territories largely don’t issue permits for falconry.
posted by zamboni at 2:48 AM on July 29, 2024 [3 favorites]

Occasionally I've had the delight of encountering a Harris hawk on duty at King's Cross Station in London, keeping the pigeons in line (or at least outside the station buildings). I had no idea anyone employed eagles for that sort of thing!
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 7:36 AM on July 29, 2024

Ooh Sabrina and her friends are beautiful. How cute is a Boobook owl?? I love this whole thing.
posted by supermedusa at 9:14 AM on July 29, 2024

In the USA, abatement is permitted by federal statue, as is general falconry. The falconry license is typically granted by the states, though, so there's a fair amount of variation between the states. A "master falconer" license is required, which (in California, anyway) requires seven years of experience.

In California, I've seen abatement birds working at landfill sites to keep seagulls away, and it has also been used successfully at airports and in downtown Oakland.
posted by graphweaver at 12:53 PM on July 29, 2024

We have a couple nests of hawks in the small farm valley near Seattle, and regular visits from bald eagles.

But the crows still can eat all our crops if they want, because the crows can drive off every other bird.

Probably the raptors and owls keep down the rabbits and gophers, at least.
posted by clew at 7:05 PM on July 29, 2024