# How do I dissuade a bird from nesting in my tree? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 24, 2006, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dissuade-a-bird-from-nesting-in-my-tree/357994 "2006-05-24T02:03:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dissuade-a-bird-from-nesting-in-my-tree/357994/1 "2006-05-24T02:03:22Z")
I believe a robin has taken interest in my tree. This would normally not be a problem, but this particular tree is going to be removed in a matter of weeks. I don’t want this bird to become homeless. Any advice? I do have a lemon tree next to the doomed tree that’s staying. In a possibly related matter: my dog may have killed a bird, or perhaps only found bits of an already-dead bird, in the small yard that contains both trees. Should I be concerned? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dissuade-a-bird-from-nesting-in-my-tree/357994/2 "2006-05-24T02:09:12Z")
You could try hanging one of those Scare-Eye balloons in it, or a silhouette of a cat head with marbles for eyes. once successfully scared a bird away from nesting on my porch with a Japanese Daruma doll. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dissuade-a-bird-from-nesting-in-my-tree/357994/3 "2006-05-24T02:25:26Z")
Try building a [nest shelf](http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/features/images/robin-700.jpg) and hang it in the lemon tree. Or [buy a nest shelf](http://www.nhwoods.com/birdhouse.htm) if you’re not good with wood. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Purl_McKnittington)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dissuade-a-bird-from-nesting-in-my-tree/357994/4 "2006-05-24T02:40:53Z")
Tell him you have a headache, darling. Très simple. (Ba dum tish!) Seriously, we’ve had great luck preventing birds from nesting in the bushes in front of the house (in reach of cats) by tying aluminum pie plates and rags in the bush. I imagine you could achieve the same effect by tying said items in the lower branches of the tree, depending on how tall it is. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dissuade-a-bird-from-nesting-in-my-tree/357994/5 "2006-05-24T03:09:38Z")
You should be able to buy inflatable owls from a garden shop. Also maybe a rubber snake. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dissuade-a-bird-from-nesting-in-my-tree/357994/6 "2006-05-24T03:16:47Z")
**CAT** apult.