Bird netting is a common tool used by farmers, gardeners, and homeowners to protect crops, trees, and buildings from bird damage. However, there is concern that birds may become entangled or trapped in the netting, leading to injury or death. In this article, we will explore the following questions:
- What is bird netting and how is it used?
- How often do birds get caught in bird netting?
- What types of birds are most at risk?
- What injuries can birds sustain from getting caught in nets?
- How can bird netting be installed safely to prevent entanglements?
- What can be done if a bird becomes trapped in a net?
By reviewing scientific studies and investigating real world cases, we can shed light on the risks bird netting poses to birds and how these risks can be minimized through proper installation and monitoring.
What is Bird Netting and How is it Used?
Bird netting refers to nets made from plastic, nylon, polypropylene or other synthetic materials that are installed to block birds from accessing or landing on a designated area. Here are some of the main uses of bird netting:
- Protecting fruit crops and trees – Nets are placed over cherry, berry, grape and other fruit crops to prevent birds from feeding on ripe fruit.
- Safeguarding gardens and landscaping – Netting can be draped over vegetable gardens, flower beds and other landscaped areas prone to digging, pecking or foraging by birds.
- Excluding birds from structures – Netting is used to cover building eaves, rafters, ledges and other surfaces where birds tend to roost or nest.
- Deterring pond use – Nets can be strung over ponds and water features to hinder birds from accessing fish stocks or establishing nests.
- Discouraging roosting on docks – Marinas and piers may use netting to make docks and slips undesirable for roosting birds.
Bird netting is popular because it provides a non-toxic, humane way to protect crops, landscapes and structures from bird damage. However, precautions need to be taken to ensure birds do not become ensnared.
Types of Bird Netting
There are a few different types of netting used for bird exclusion:
- Plastic mesh netting – The most affordable option, made from nylon or polypropylene plastic fibers woven into a porous mesh.
- Knotted netting – More durable than plastic mesh, as the intersections are knotted for strength.
- Heavy-duty polyethylene netting – Provides the greatest durability and strength to protect against sharp beaks and talons.
- UV-treated netting – Chemically treated to resist damage from ultraviolet radiation.
The size of the mesh holes, durability and density of the netting material all factor into how protective and safe the netting will be. Loose knitted meshes with larger holes pose a greater risk of tangling birds.
How Often do Birds Get Caught in Bird Netting?
Research looking at how often bird entanglements occur with netting is limited, but suggests it is not uncommon, especially during the nesting season when birds may attempt to enter netted areas for nesting sites or become trapped while foraging. One study in Ontario estimated 281 million birds are killed annually across Canada by collisions with windows and buildings, vehicles, power lines, communications towers and becoming entangled in netting and other hazards. Of these, netting entanglements account for approximately 2.5 million bird deaths per year.
Another study conducted by the University of Manitoba examined bird mortality rates for 9 different fruit orchards protected by netting. On average, they documented between 0.2 to 46.6 bird deaths per acre of netted orchard per year. While many orchards reported low mortality rates, others saw dozens of fatalities annually, demonstrating that proper netting installation is key.
Researchers emphasize that the number of birds killed by netting each year is likely underestimated, since dead birds decay quickly or are removed by scavengers, and netting is not monitored as closely as other mortality sources like windows and towers. However, it is clear that bird netting poses risks that must be carefully managed.
Estimated Annual Bird Deaths from Netting in Canada
Cause of Death | Estimated Mortality |
---|---|
Building and Window Collisions | 25 million |
Vehicle Collisions | 14 million |
Power Line Collisions | 5.5 million |
Communication Tower Collisions | 6.8 million |
Netting Entanglements | 2.5 million |
What Types of Birds are Most at Risk?
Certain types of birds appear to be more vulnerable to getting caught in netting based on their behavior, size, habitat and nesting preferences. Birds that are prone to becoming ensnared include:
- Blackbirds – Red-winged blackbirds feed on fruit crops and build nests in shrubs, putting them at high risk in netted orchards and gardens.
- Sparrows – House sparrows scavenging for food or nesting material can accidentally fly into netted areas.
- Warblers – Warblers gleaning insects can get their feet stuck in loose mesh netting.
- Finches – American goldfinches sometimes breed in mature netted orchards and may get trapped.
- Swallows – Barn swallows construct mud nests on net-covered buildings and can collide with nets.
- Owls – Larger birds like great horned owls hunting rodents may become snagged in looser netting.
In addition, young naive birds attempting their first flights are especially prone to netting accidents. All birds can be at greater risk during breeding season, when competition for nesting sites is high.
Bird Species Most Prone to Netting Entanglement
Species | Risk Factors |
---|---|
Red-winged blackbird | Foraging in fruit orchards |
House sparrow | Nesting in cavities of buildings |
Warblers | Gleaning insects from vegetation |
Barn swallow | Mud nests on structures |
Great horned owl | Hunting rodents in loose nets |
What Injuries can Birds Sustain from Netting?
When birds collide with or become ensnared in netting, they are at risk for a variety of traumatic physical injuries:
- Broken bones – Legs and wings can fracture from the impact of hitting netting at high speeds.
- Sprains and strains – Violent struggles to escape can overextend tendons and ligaments.
- Ruptured air sacs – Lung air sacs can burst from exertion and panic.
- Feather loss – Feathers can be stripped away as the bird thrashes around.
- Lacerations – Nets can cut into flesh and expose bones.
- Strangulation – Net wrapped tightly around the neck can suffocate birds.
- Exhaustion – Fighting to get free depletes energy and leads to fatigue.
These injuries not only cause acute pain and suffering, but can also lead to deadly complications such as hemorrhage, infection, starvation, or predation in the wild. Even if released, birds may succumb later to these traumatic effects. Proper netting protocols are essential to avoiding harm.
Potential Injuries to Birds From Netting
Injury Type | Description |
---|---|
Fractures | Broken wing or leg bones |
Sprains & Strains | Hyperextended tendons and ligaments |
Internal Injuries | Ruptured air sacs, organ damage |
Lacerations | Cuts, gashes and abrasions |
Feather Loss | Missing plumage from entanglements |
Strangulation | Asphyxiation from neck compression |
How can Bird Netting be Installed Safely?
When installed correctly, bird netting can be an effective and bird-friendly exclusion method. Here are some tips for safe installation:
- Use small mesh netting (5/8 inch or less) to prevent heads and feet from becoming stuck.
- Ensure netting fits snugly and does not billow or sag where birds can be trapped underneath.
- Fasten the net securely along all edges, with no gaps larger than 1 inch where birds can penetrate.
- Use dark or camouflage-patterned netting to increase visibility.
- Post warning decals along the perimeter so birds can avoid the area.
- Check daily for entangled birds and release them carefully.
- Take down nets promptly after the danger period has ended.
- Consider noise deterrents, reflective tape, or other scare devices to keep birds away.
A properly maintained netting system monitored closely for snags can allow birds and humans to coexist safely. However, any loose, sagging, worn or improperly secured netting can pose unnecessary risks to birds.
Tips for Safer Bird Netting Installation
Do | Don’t |
---|---|
Use small mesh netting | Use large mesh netting |
Ensure taut installation | Allow sagging or billows |
Seal all edges and seams | Leave gaps along edges |
Use dark or camo patterns | Use light colored netting |
Post warning signs for birds | Fail to mark netted areas |
What Should You Do if a Bird Becomes Trapped in Netting?
If you discover a bird entangled in netting, here are the recommended steps:
- Approach slowly and calmly to avoid startling the bird further.
- Gently loosen the area around the bird to create slack in the net.
- Wear protective gloves to guard against scratches or pecks.
- Carefully disentangle the bird, starting with body first then wings and legs last.
- Minimize handling time to reduce stress.
- Place the freed bird in a cardboard box to recover before release.
- Monitor for signs of injury, like broken bones, and consult a wildlife rehabilitator if needed.
- Look for stranded nestlings and disentangle them too.
- Repair any gaps or damage in the netting to prevent more entanglements.
By following these steps, you can rescue trapped birds calmly and safely. However, it is always best to take preventative measures by properly installing and monitoring nets to avoid entanglements in the first place. Alerting a wildlife rehabilitation center promptly can give entangled birds the best chance at recovery.
Response Protocol When a Bird is Ensnared in Nets
Step | Action |
---|---|
1 | Approach the trapped bird slowly and calmly |
2 | Loosen netting around the bird |
3 | Carefully free the bird from the netting |
4 | Place bird in a box to recover before release |
5 | Check for injuries and contact wildlife rehabilitator |
6 | Look for stranded nestlings |
7 | Repair any gaps or damage in netting |
Conclusion
Bird netting can be a useful deterrent for protecting crops, landscapes and structures, but it also poses risks of entanglement and injury if not used properly. Small mesh netting installed tautly without sagging, fitted securely along edges and inspected regularly can allow birds and humans to safely coexist. While quantifying the exact magnitude of netting-related mortality is difficult, it is clear that hundreds of thousands to millions of birds are killed annually in Canada alone after becoming caught in netting set up to exclude them. With conscientious installation procedures and monitoring, these unnecessary deaths can be reduced or avoided. When developing an integrated pest management plan that includes netting, the risks to birds should always be considered and mitigated. With some thoughtful adjustments, bird netting can effectively protect precious fruits, gardens and buildings without sacrificing the lives of our fine feathered friends.