Birds can sometimes cause damage to lawns and yards. Their pecking and scratching behaviors can uproot grass blades and seedlings. Additionally, their droppings can burn and discolor grass. However, the extent of damage depends on the type of birds, number of birds, and health of the lawn. With some care and maintenance, bird damage can be minimized.
Do bird feet damage grass?
Birds like robins, starlings, crows, and grackles can damage grass and lawns. As they walk around pecking and foraging, their claws and feet can rip up tender grass shoots and blades. Newly seeded lawns are most vulnerable to this scratching damage. But healthy, established lawns can recover more quickly. The damage also depends on the number of birds frequenting the yard. Occasional solitary birds do little harm, but large flocks increase the potential for scratched up areas.
Do bird beaks damage grass?
Bird beaks can also uproot grass when birds pull on the blades while foraging. Birds like robins yank worms and insects from soil and grass. This tugs on the grass plants. Wide, large bird beaks cause more uprooting of grass than smaller, narrow beaks. The feeding habits of different bird species also impacts lawn damage. Ground foraging birds that hunt by probing in the grass and dirt cause more disruption than seed-eating birds.
Do bird droppings damage grass?
Bird droppings are unsightly and can damage grass. The high nitrogen content in the droppings acts as a fertilizer and can burn the grass, creating yellow or brown patches. Droppings from large birds like geese or pigeons are capable of more damage than smaller bird species. An accumulation of droppings also increases the potential for grass discoloration and growth inhibition. A large flock frequenting a lawn multiplies the amount of excrement.
Types of Birds that Damage Grass
Some birds are more likely to damage residential and commercial lawns:
Geese
Canada geese are prevalent in many neighborhoods and parks. A flock of resting geese can quickly cover a lawn with feces. Geese tearing and feeding on tender grass shoots also thins the turf. Their webbed feet trample the ground, compacts soil, and uproots grass.
Crows
American crows dig into lawns searching for grubs and worms. Their constant foraging leaves behind damaged and unearthed patches of grass. Crows also feed on newly planted grass seedlings.
Pigeons
Flocks of pigeons can quickly damage grass with accumulated waste. They also peck at seedlings and grass for food. Their larger bodies and feet displace soil and grass as they walk around.
Starlings
European starlings travel in large, dense flocks called murmurations while feeding. All their foraging activity damages grass by shearing blades and leaving small holes in the lawn. Starling droppings also stain and discolor grass.
Robins
American robins aggressively tug earthworms and insects from the ground. This leads to considerable destruction of grass roots and shoots. Their thin, pointed beaks can precisely stab and kill tender new seedlings.
Factors that Increase Bird Damage
Several factors influence the likelihood and severity of bird damage:
Factor | Explanation |
---|---|
Number of birds | A solitary robin may not impact grass significantly. But a flock of 50 birds will increase grass damage exponentially. |
Type of birds | Larger birds like Canada geese do more damage per individual than smaller birds. Ground foragers like starlings and crows uproot more grass than seed-eating sparrows. |
Breeding season | Birds can become very territorial during breeding season and cause additional lawn damage through increased activity. |
Migrating birds | Some birds only pass through yards during annual migration but leave excessive feces and trampled grass in their wake. |
Feeding behaviors | Birds that dig in the dirt and aggressively yank out prey damage grass more than surface foragers. |
Health of the lawn | A lush, vigorous lawn can recover from minor damage quickly compared to stressed, thin grass. |
Season and weather | Hot, dry weather slows grass growth. Bird damage during such conditions is more visible and pronounced. |
Examples of Bird Damage
Here are some common ways birds damage residential and commercial lawns:
Uprooted grass
Birds aggressively pulling prey items like worms and grubs from the lawn rip out entire chunks of grass. Starlings, robins, and crows often engage in this behavior that tears up sections of the lawn. It leaves visible bare or thin patches in the turf.
Torn grass blades
Sharp bird beaks shear and cut through grass blades while feeding on seeds, searching for insects, or territorial fighting. This gives the lawn a ragged, worn appearance. The pointed beaks of birds of prey do considerable harm.
Reduced density
Repeated trampling, scratching, and digging by bird feet compacts soil. Grass struggles to grow in dense, impacted soil. This reduces shoot density and creates gaps in coverage. Canada geese and other heavy birds contribute most to this issue.
Staining and burning
The high nutrient content in bird droppings can discolor grass yellow or brown in concentrated piles. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus acts like a fertilizer and burns the grass. Starling, goose, and pigeon feces are particularly damaging.
Loss of seedlings
Newly sprouted seeds and young grass shoots are vulnerable to feeding birds. Geese, crows, starlings, and other birds nipping off tender new growth inhibits the establishment of a thick lawn. It leads to patchy growth.
Preventing Bird Damage to Lawns
It takes an integrated approach to deter birds and prevent excessive damage:
Scare tactics
Use decoys, reflective deterrents, and sounds to scare problematic bird species away from the lawn. Lifelike predator decoys, foil pans that flutter in the wind, and recorded distress calls convince birds to avoid the area. However, birds can become desensitized over time.
Physical barriers
Install fencing, netting, or plant dense shrubbery to block birds from walking onto the lawn. This also deters geese if pond or lake access is restricted. Ensure there is no open access to a water body.
Remove food sources
Eliminate things that attract birds like grubs, earthworms, seeds, and insects. Improve soil health and drainage and use pest control to reduce these food sources. Without an abundant food supply, birds will seek better foraging grounds.
Alter habitat
Discourage flocking birds by removing roosting or nesting sites. Eliminate water features, remove dense brush, and thin trees to make the area less attractive. A more open landscape provides fewer cover opportunities.
Apply repellents
Repellent sprays containing methyl anthranilate or predator urine cause irritation and discomfort in birds. Apply these on areas birds frequent to condition them to avoid that lawn space in the future. Reapply after rain or mowing.
Allow access to alternates
Give birds a designated place to feed and congregate away from the lawn. Set up a bird feeding area or leave some lawn unmowed with bird seed sprinkled on it. Having an acceptable alternative may spare the bulk of the landscape.
Repairing and Reseeding Damaged Lawns
Once birds damage a section of the lawn, repair and restoration is required:
Remove dead grass
Eliminate any remaining dead or excessive thatch in the damaged area. Rake thoroughly down through the grass roots to open up the soil. This allows new growth to establish.
Aerate the soil
Use a core aerator or similar tool to punch holes in compacted soil. This improves drainage and allows nutrients and air to penetrate. Grass recovers better in loosened, aerated soil.
Apply compost
Work nutrient-rich compost into the top layer of soil in damaged patches. Compost provides organic matter that encourages lush grass regrowth. It also helps retain moisture.
Level and smooth
Rake the soil to create a flat, uniform area for seeding. Fill any holes or gouges with extra soil. Remove rocks, twigs, and other debris that can impede germination.
Seed the lawn
Select a seed blend suitable for the light, drainage, and traffic in that lawn space. Heavily overseeded at the recommended rate. Using a slit seeder provides good soil contact for the seed.
Gently water
Lightly water newly seeded lawn patches frequently to maintain consistent moisture. Soil should not be allowed to dry out while seeds are trying to germinate.
Add mulch
Consider spread straw or compost as mulch over newly seeded areas. This protects tender new growth and helps retain soil moisture while grass establishes.
Conclusion
Birds can definitely damage residential and commercial lawns with their feeding, foraging, and waste. However, the extent of the damage depends on many factors like the bird species, number of birds, time of year, lawn health, and property conditions. A strategic approach of deterrents, habitat modifications, and access prevention can minimize bird damage. But some minor damage may still occasionally occur. address damaged spots through aerating, amending soil, extensive seeding, gentle watering, and mulching for the best regeneration results. With proper lawn care and bird mitigation, bird damage can be significantly reduced and lawns can continue to thrive.