Device for scaring away birds

Abstract

Device for scaring away birds, in the form of a geometric body which is stored as a placeholder in a fork of a branch.

Description

[0001] A device that prevents corvids and crows, including ravens, hooded crows, and rooks, from nesting in trees in unsuitable locations.

[0002] In the branch forks suitable for a crow or corvid nest, objects such as tetrahedra, polyhedra (e.g. pyramids) or cones are inserted with the point facing upwards, so that each of the branches has a slanted surface opposite it, making it impossible to deposit nesting material.

[0003] For a classic three-branch fork, a tetrahedron is suitable; for the less common four-branch forks, a polyhedron in the form of a pyramid is appropriate. In certain cases, round or other geometric shapes, as well as shapes with partial cutouts, may be useful.

[0004] The invention relates to a device for deterring corvids and crows – including ravens, hooded crows, and rooks – from nesting sites in trees in unsuitable locations. These include, among others, playgrounds, parks, pedestrian zones, restaurants, and campsites.

[0005] Rooks have been a protected species in Germany since 1977. Their population has increased significantly since then and is no longer endangered. They now prefer to settle in cities, which is associated with disturbances due to noise, droppings, and even attacks on humans.

[0006] Furthermore, other smaller bird species are being displaced, which can lead to their endangerment due to the restriction of their habitat.

[0007] Since crows and corvids are protected species, they must not be disturbed while breeding.

[0008] So far, attempts to prevent the animals from nesting over playgrounds, park paths, etc., using sprinkler systems, eagle owl decoys, and various bird-scaring mechanisms have been largely unsuccessful.

[0009] The sprinkler systems couldn't withstand the frost, and all other efforts were quickly exposed as harmless and ignored by the intelligent animals.

[0010] Another method to prevent birds from nesting in certain locations is the targeted, expert use of birds of prey as a deterrent, or the regular removal of the third branch at a three-branch fork, and the removal of old nests.

[0011] Corvids typically build their nests in the forks of three branches. The invention addresses this by preventing nest building through the use of placeholders. Ideally, this is achieved by creating a smooth surface opposite the respective forked branch, thus making it impossible to build a stable nest and rendering the location unsuitable for nesting.

[0012] In the branch forks suitable for a crow or corvid nest, starting from three branches, elements made of any material such as plastic, in the form of suitable geometric bodies, e.g. tetrahedrons, polyhedra (e.g. pyramids) or cones with the point facing upwards, are inserted so that each of the branches has a slanted surface opposite, which makes it impossible to deposit nesting material.

[0013] For a classic three-branch fork, a tetrahedron is suitable; for rarer four-branch forks, a pyramid is appropriate.

[0014] This makes the location unattractive as a nesting site for crows, leading to the birds migrating to a more suitable area where noise and pollution are less disruptive. It is therefore a sustainable method of deterrence.

[0015] The geometric bodies can be open at the bottom and, depending on the situation, can also be adapted to individual circumstances by partial cutouts for the branches in the lateral surfaces.

[0016] Thus, the lower edge of the mantle surfaces extends downwards beyond the fork point of the branches to ensure that it will not be possible for birds the size of a blackbird or larger to land there or build a nest under the placeholder object, while still ensuring the largest possible sloping surface opposite the respective branches of the fork.

[0017] For particularly narrow branch forks, a pentahedron, octahedron or other polyhedron, such as a dual tetrahedron or octahedron with diverging vertices, may be suitable, where one vertex points upwards while the opposite vertex fills the lower part of the branch fork and thus prevents nesting under the placeholder object.

[0018] In certain cases, a cone, sphere, hemisphere, or egg shape may also be useful. Depending on the situation, asymmetrical variations of these shapes may also be appropriate.

[0019] Instead of boards, sturdy tarpaulins can also be used to create the placeholder shape. Nets are unsuitable for animal welfare reasons, and grids are not suitable because they do not prevent the birds from depositing nesting material. For securely attaching the placeholder objects to the branches, rubber clamps are suitable, for example, which are attached to rubber bearings via a movable axle and are screwed or riveted to the object.

[0020] For temporary use, screw fastening is recommended; for long-term use, riveting is advisable.

[0021] Internal rubber bearings allow for the compensation of vibration damping caused by external influences such as wind. Furthermore, alternative mounting options for the respective objects are possible, provided that easy assembly and final installation are ensured, and that, in the case of shapes with exposed surfaces, static load relief is guaranteed with regard to external influences.

[0022] All parts of the fastening system consist of springy, flexible metal, plastic wires, plastic, or similar materials, are connected to each other by detachable angled pieces and sleeves, and are positioned at angles to each other. To protect the tree bark, the clamps should be made of rubberized plastic or another soft but durable material.

[0023] This device sustainably, with low maintenance and comparatively inexpensively prevents nest building, without causing damage to the tree or subjecting the animals to unnecessary stress. Reference symbol list 1 placeholder object 2 mounting clamps 3 Surface area 4 rubber bearings 5 connector 6 hinge 7 Riveting 8 screw connection 9 Tension strap fastening 10 recesses Fig. 1: Placeholder object in the form of a tetrahedron open at the bottom with riveted mounting variant with rubber clamps and internal rubber bearings Fig. 2: Placeholder object in the form of a tetrahedron open at the bottom with individual recesses for the branches and riveted mounting variant with rubber clamps and internal rubber bearings Fig. 3: Detailed view of a mounting example. Inside the open-bottomed placeholder, a rubber bearing (4) is connected to the outer surface (3) by a screw (8). This is connected to a mounting clamp (2) via connecting pieces (5) with hinges (6), which compensates for vibration damping caused by external influences such as wind movement and thus provides static relief. Fig. 4: In this example, the placeholder object (1) is a closed sphere which is connected to the mounting clamps (2) via connecting pieces (5) with vibration-damping rubber bearings (4) fastened by riveting (7). Fig. 5: Placeholder object (1) in the form of a dual tetrahedron with diverging vertices, in which the downward-pointing vertex fills the lower part of the branch fork and thus makes nesting under the placeholder object impossible, while the upward-pointing vertex ensures that each forked branch has a smooth surface opposite it, preventing the deposit of nesting material. Fig. 6: Placeholder object (1) in the form of an asymmetrical double cone with diverging tips and a simple tension strap attachment (9)

Claims

[1] Device for deterring birds, in the form of a geometric body which is stored as a placeholder in a fork of a branch. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the casing is a three-sided or four-sided pyramid with the apex pointing upwards, so that each fork branch faces a sloping, smooth surface. [3] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the casing is pentahedral, octahedral or polyhedral, with one apex pointing upwards so that each forked branch is opposite a sloping, smooth surface, and the downward-pointing apex fills the lower space in the forked branch. [4] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the casing is spherical or egg-shaped. [5] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the casing is hemispherical and the flat side faces downwards. [6] Device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the casing is a cone with the tip pointing upwards. [7] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the housing is a double cone with diverging tips, one tip pointing upwards and each fork branch facing a smooth surface. [8] Device according to claim 1, 2, 5 or 6, characterized by that the case is open at the bottom. [9] Device according to claims 1-8 , characterized by , that the geometric body or one or more lateral surfaces have one or more recesses for one or more fork branches.

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