Birds such as feral pigeons, starlings and sparrows are often found in cities and towns attracted by the changed surroundings humans have created. Many of these birds have the ability to adapt to disturbed environments and actively seek out opportunities to feed, nest and rear their young on or near public buildings such as schools.
Birds can be pests because they compete with native birds for food, shelter and nest sites. Birds such as sparrows and Indian mynas are particularly aggressive when defending feeding locations.
Pest birds will often inhabit a site in large numbers which can result in noise pollution, the unsightly and hazardous build up of droppings and be a source of parasites and infection such as salmonella.
To gain further information on this topic prior to teaching it in the classroom is recommended that you examine sections of the following:
Students address the problem of pest birds in their school yard by manipulating the school environment.
Students will:
This activity is also suitable for students working together in small groups.
Note:
Introduce the topic by discussing the ‘setting the scene’ section of the pests in the school yard activity with your students.
Ask the following questions to prompt student discussion:
What is a pest?
What is a pest bird?
Step 1
Hand out the pests in the school yard activity sheet. Discuss the requirements with your students such as how to record pest bird behaviour and how to create a database using a computer.
Step 2
Identify any problems or concerns you and your students may have with pest birds in the school yard.
Step 3
By observing the school yard, students create a list of introduced birds.
Common introduced birds found in urban areas are:
Note: Students may require a reference when identifying these birds. Bird books and images sourced from the internet can assist in identification.
Students could also take photos of birds in the school yard and identify them back in the classroom.
A member of the local ornithologists group could also be approached to visit the school and assist students in identifying introduced birds in the school yard.
Step 4
Once your students have created their database and entered all of their observations, gather the class to discuss everyone’s findings.
Step 5
Record student suggestions for reducing the presence of pest birds in the school yard. Any suggestions at this stage are valid.
IMPORTANT – Suggestions can not include killing, capturing or harming the birds.
Suitable scaring techniques could include:
Suitable habitat manipulation could include:
Step 6
Where possible, put into action student suggestions for reducing the presence of pest birds in the school yard.
Be aware that results will vary. This is normal as pest birds will become familiar with scaring techniques over time and ignore them. To challenge this situation, students may need to vary the type of scaring techniques employed when pest bird numbers build up. The best long-term solution is to use permanent techniques, such as installing barriers, which make an area less suitable for pest birds.
Step 7
As a suggested extension to this activity, students could design a building that deters pest birds.
Step 8