How can we scare away a falcon?

[monica]

There is a family of falcons that appear to have taken up residency in our neighborhood, and think that our back deck is the coolest hang-out spot in the place. However, we have a small dog, and we’re also rather attached to our yard’s squirrels (we feed them and everything). Although the squirrels seem unconcerned, we’re a bit worried that the falcons are going to start snacking on them or attempt to carry away the dog (although they probably couldn’t get far with her, they could probably manage to pick her up and drop her, which would be a problem anyway). Any suggestions of something that might scare away our new backyard buddies?

[SnakesCatLady]

Talk to your vet about contacting the nearest raptor center. They may be able to give you some pointers to make your yard less attractive without getting to trouble for messing with an endangered species.

[Waverly]

All of the concerned squirrels have probably moved on. One way or another.

Depending upon how small your dog is, and therefore what the risk would be, I think they’d be interesting animals to have around. Personally, I’d keep them.

[astro]

I think you are wildly overestimating the carrying capacity of a raptor. Unless we’re talking a raptor the size of a very large eagle, or a dog literally the size of a squirrel, your dog has little to fear.

Here’s a real carry off
Bear Cub Carried Away By Eagle

OSLO, Norway - Wildlife experts were stunned this week to see an eagle attack and carry off a bear cub in view of its mother. The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research said it had not been able to find any other such attack documented anywhere.

Sigvart Totland and Jarle Mogens Totsaas were monitoring bears in central Norway for the Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management when they saw the attack Sunday.

They saw a family of bears about 400 yards away that was climbing a steep incline. The smallest cub, weighing an estimated 6 or 7 pounds, was trailing behind by about 10 yards.

“Suddenly an eagle swooped down, grabbed the bear cub and flew away with it,” Totsaas said Wednesday on the state radio network NRK. “The bear cub was screaming the whole time, and the eagle flew toward us and came very close. We could easily see the bear cub hanging in its claws, and kicking.”

Norwegian bears where generally believed to have no natural enemies, which contributed to the surprise of the experts over the attack. “There has never been a similar observation,” he said on NRK.

See also Haast's eagle - Wikipedia

The Haast’s Eagle (Harpagornis moorei) was a massive eagle that once lived on the South Island of New Zealand. After the extinction of the teratorns, the Haast’s Eagle was the largest bird of prey in the world. It is believed that Māori called it Pouakai or Hokioi.

Female Haast’s Eagles weighed 10 to 14 kilograms (22 to 30 pounds), and males weighed 9 to 10 kilograms. They had a wingspan of about 2.6 - 3 meters, which is short for a bird of the Haast’s Eagle’s weight, but permitted them to hunt in forests. It preyed on large, flightless birds species including moa up to 15 times its weight. It attacked moa at speeds up to 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph), seizing a moa by the pelvis with the talons of one foot and killing it with a blow to the head or neck with a talon of the other foot. In the absence of other large predators or scavengers, a Haast’s Eagle could have fed on a single large kill over a number of days.

Early human settlers in New Zealand (Māori arrived about 1000 years ago) also preyed heavily on large, flightless birds and hunted some of them, including all the moa species, to extinction. The Haast’s Eagle became extinct around 1400 AD along with its prey. It may also have been hunted itself by humans: a large, fast bird of prey that specialized in hunting large bipeds may have been perceived as a threat by Māori.

[B.Serum]

Say “Shoo, falcon! Git!”

[Zabali_Clawbane]

The best course of action would be what SnakesCatLady suggested. Ask your nearest raptor center what to do, don’t just harass an endangered species, that could get you a hefty fine. I’m sure someone can provide a cite with just want you can, and cannot do and the penalties.

[Duke_of_Rat]

Around here we have Mississippi Kites. They look like falcons, and I always thought they probably ate small varmits, but they actually eat insects. They like areas with trees adjacent to open areas IIRC, like golf courses, and will harass golfers and the like. If you have these, you don’t really need to fear them.

Mississippi Kite. Pic Pic

[pseudotriton_ruber_ruber]

Monica, I could use a falcon or two–they’d fix my pigeon problem straight away. How can I pick up a few?

[Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor]

Steal Dynomutt’s oilcan?

[Muad_Dib]

You will never be able to scare away the Falcon! So long as evil still creeps in the light of day the Falcon will be here to banish it to the darkness once again!

[KlondikeGeoff]

@Zabali_Clawbane

The best course of action would be what SnakesCatLady suggested. Ask your nearest raptor center what to do, don’t just harass an endangered species, that could get you a hefty fine. I’m sure someone can provide a cite with just want you can, and cannot do and the penalties.

Or call your state Fish & Game Dept and/or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for advice.

[MikeG]

My Side of the Mountain was one of my all time favorite books as a kid…I’d go buy squirrels and pocket puppies in hopes of luring even more falcons to my back deck if possible.

[Paul_in_Qatar]

I agree. I think birds are way cool and I would try to keep them. Just my opinion of course. It is none of my falcon business.