Vultures flying through your city can seem ominous. The bird has been associated with death and doom across cultures, but they play a crucial role in the ecosystem. As a scavenger, they eat carcasses which helps prevent the spread of diseases, contributes to nutrient cycling, and provides some pest control. Even so, a vulture population can be a nuisance.
Vultures in Cities
Vultures are among the few animals with a mutually beneficial relationship in a human environment. Vultures are scavengers and the human environment provides plentiful food sources for vultures. The vulture population has increased so much that they are becoming one of the most abundant birds of prey in the Western Hemisphere.
The skyscrapers create an ideal environment for vultures. Buildings create thermals vultures use to aid in flight. The rising warm air allows them to soar while using less energy. With the growth of cities and a decrease in natural nesting sites, vultures have adapted to nesting on skyscrapers, using window ledges and roofs
Vultures Roost on Skyscrapers
Vultures are opportunities when it comes to nesting. Vultures are attracted to specific structural features when nesting on buildings, often due to the similarities these features have to natural nesting sites like cliff ledges. Common nest locations on buildings for vultures include window-ledge planters, roof recesses, parapets, underwater storage tanks, and nearby HVAC units. Vultures have been observed taking advantage of the heat coming from air conditioner exhausts, as the nesting ledges on skyscrapers may receive no direct sunlight.
Vulture Problems on Buildings
Vultures are a pest to the inhabitants and cause damage. A social bird, vultures will congregate in large numbers. A vulture committee near human activity can be unnerving and a nuisance.
Vulture damage can come from their beaks, claws, and droppings. Their sharp claws and beaks can damage homes and commercial buildings by tearing window caulking, vent seals, and asphalt shingles. They can also damage electrical infrastructure and contaminate water supplies.
Vultures can smell bad. They have highly acidic stomach liquids, and as a defense, buzzards will vomit. The uric acid kills bacteria on the birds’ legs, but it reeks and is highly corrosive. The accumulation of droppings and vomit can damage your property and health.
Vulture Control on High Rises
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects vultures so any bird control method must comply with legal requirements. Bird deterrents are usually the best bird control for vultures. Popular bird control products include shock tracks, bird netting, bird spikes, and in some cases vulture effigies.
On this building, vultures had been roosting on the I beams. These I beams presented an interesting challenge. They were high off of the ground and difficult to access.
We used bird wire to get the vultures off of the building. Bird wire, also known as bird deterrent wire, is a common method used to keep birds off of ledges and other surfaces. It typically consists of thin stainless steel wires strung on posts that make it difficult for birds to land and perch.
Call Critter Control for Bird Control on Skyscrapers
Controlling birds on skyscrapers presents a handful of unique challenges that demand specialized expertise. High elevations make it difficult to reach roosting sites on ledges and rooftops, often requiring special equipment such as lift systems, scaffolding, or drones to work safely. Working at these extreme heights is dangerous, so it’s important to leave this job to properly trained professionals.
With years of experience in providing custom bird control for government buildings, high-rise buildings, skyscrapers, and more, our team at Critter Control can design a professional, humane, and effective solution. Let us help you protect your building and keep pest birds at bay.
