Buzz
Every year on Halloween, scarecrows become a popular addition to front lawns. While they might startle trick-or-treaters, do they have the same effect on the birds they're meant to keep away?
It seems that some birds are more bothered by them than others. A study from 1980 showed that small ponds near scarecrows had a 95 percent decrease in duck visits. However, certain birds don't seem to mind them. In the 1930s, wildlife expert K.R. Lagler placed a scarecrow on a floating buoy at a West Virginia fish hatchery. While most birds kept their distance, he observed that it did not deter kingfishers.
Now, let's shift focus from bodies of water. After all, when people think of scarecrows, they usually picture them in cornfields, not near ponds or fish farms. So how effective are they in safeguarding crops? Not very—unless you’re prepared to put in some additional work.
While classic, motionless scarecrows can be effective against “pest birds” (like crows and blackbirds), their impact is typically short-lived. Over time, the birds grow accustomed to the static figures and eventually resume their destructive behavior.
There are a few techniques that can enhance the effectiveness of your scarecrow. Research suggests that scarecrows with realistic facial features and vibrant clothing are more successful at scaring off birds. Additionally, relocating the scarecrow every few days can improve its effectiveness.
Various studies show that scarecrows with movement provide the best results. In 1989, a researcher reported that a “human-like mannequin” which occasionally lurched upwards using a double propane cannon managed to protect up to six acres of sunflowers from blackbirds.
The future of farming might involve many advanced options. One such option, the “Agrilaser,” uses random laser beams to keep birds at bay. Arnold Bosgoed, a farmer who tested it, told The Daily Mail in 2014, “It’s silent, and the birds don’t seem to get used to the laser. Installation is simple and requires no maintenance.” Another device, the solar-powered “digital scarecrow,” detects animals using an infrared sensor that covers 178,000 square feet and repels them with a harmless supersonic wave.
And here's one scarecrow that won’t be asking for a brain anytime soon.
