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The Magic Halo anti-house sparrow project

13 years ago

I notice that I am going through 40 lbs of seed in 2 weeks. The main culprit appears to be these giant flock of house sparrows that show up during the winter. Last year, I was able to repel them using a 3 foot diameter ring made of soft drawn copper pipe. Unfortunately, squirrels then started using it as landing pad from trees to get to the feeder and I took it down.

This year, I decided to start with a smaller ring and see if it will work. I went to Menards and purchase some 5 foot PEX tubing for $2 and form it into a 1.5 feet diameter loop. The pex tubing is better than the copper since it's holds its shape. I attached it to the tub feeder with some twine. I did not use the hanging wires. I was curious to see if the smaller ring would still work.

Results

* All HOSP were repelled.

* Chickadee's were not afraid of ring and actually used it as a perch.

* Woodpecker ignored the ring and use the feeder as normal.

* Gold finches were not afraid of the ring.

* House finches were mildy afraid of the ring, but mostly because they try to land on it and it wiggled around.

* Many of the cardinals are afraid to use the feeder.

At the end of the day, the seed consumption was much lower than before the ring. I notice a larger number of house finches visiting the feeder. I suppose for many, that would be replacing one pest with another. However, there aren't that man house finches in the winter, so this is acceptable.

I took it down and is revamping the ring. I'll replace the twine with some hobby wire and attach it more securely to the cap. I think the wiggling of the halo scares the cardinals. Ideally, I should be able to repel just the house sparrows.

Paul

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Comments (5)

bandjzmom
13 years ago
Would like to see a pic of this invention Paul! I would be overjoyed to be able to repel the nasty HOSP's. I have had to close off 3 nestboxes already to discourage them from setting up house here this spring. That takes away warm roosting spots for the birds that I actually put the boxes out for. Hoping my HOSP's will head on over to my local Lowes, Home Depot, Kmart, or Walmart for nesting!! They seem to like those places. Wonder if your ring would repel the Grackles and Starlings as well. :o)
paulsiu
Original Author
13 years ago
It's not my invention, it's basically a variation of the magic halo, which has been available for quite some times. You can see description at:

http://www.sialis.org/halo.htm

Unfortunately, the ring is not so effective against breeding pairs of HOSP. The site does have various ideas to deter nesting.

I don't have experience with repelling grackles and starlings from nestboxes, but I do notice that starlings do not like to have something that block their view of the sky. A dome of some sort over suet feeder for example seems to deter them. However, it's hard to verify since Starlings don't seemed to come to my yard.

Paul
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The magic halo concept is 95-100% effective for me for deterring house sparrows. The main idea is that you need the "halo" on top for preventing the HoSPs from descending from above, and the wires to prevent them from approaching laterally. The "halo" (aka top-cover) can be anything that will prevent passage. For my suet log, this is a piece of 1/4" density hardware cloth that is 2' x 4' laying over the top of support that the suet log hangs from. For my sunflower and safflower feeders, the top-covers are extra-large plastic weather domes by Aspects. I then surround the feeders with a network of weights suspended by 30 gauge to 26 gauge hobby wire. The nimble woodpeckers, nuthatch, chickadees, titmice, goldfinch, house finches, purple finches, and even some juncos fly right through. Harris' sparrow (indigenous) ground feeds with the juncos. The house sparrows and starlings find somewhere else to feed. The wires sometimes break of course, and if I don't get right on it and re-hang the wires then I will get a few house sparrows invading. I have a self-designed arbor constructed from steel support tubing with sections of cattle panel over the top which makes it very easy for me to hang feeders and wire anywhere I choose. If I get the occasional stubborn house sparrow I deploy a deluxe-repeating sparrow trap until I get the bugger. These measures have kept my feeders from getting mobbed by the pestilent sparrows and starlings and allowed me to continue to enjoy watching the birds at my feeders. There isn't much else interesting to see out there in the winter!
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paulsiu
Original Author
13 years ago
Update, I managed to change the setup so that the wires go through the tube feeder (I'll post a picture soon). The reasoning is that birds get nervous when they see stuff wiggling around.

Result
* NO HOSP still.
* Chickadee unaffected.
* Woodpeckers unaffected.
* Golden Finch unaffected.
* House finch now unaffected. Previously, they were nervous about the wiggling ring.
* Cardinal still dislike the ring, but will use the ringed feeder when the other feeder (a pizza tray) is not available.

Paul
terrene
13 years ago
That sounds interesting Paul - I would love to see a picture too. How many days has it repelled the English Sparrows? I wonder if they will get used to the wiggling.
sissyz
13 years ago
I rarely post, but check this forum every day and I suffer with terrible plagues of HOSP. I encourage you to please please post a picture so I can fix this up in my yard..!
Sissy

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