Indiana wildlife officials said their methods of keeping the some-45,000 crows in Indianapolis from descending on the city’s downtown are temporary solutions.
State wildlife experts said they use pyrotechnics and noisemakers to dissuade the birds from flocking downtown six nights a week, but the large groups of birds typically relocate only temporarily or move just a few blocks over, WRTV, Indianapolis, reported Tuesday.
The experts said they also tried hanging fake dead crows from trees to scare off the birds, but the tactic does not seem effective.
“Last year, they responded pretty well to our pyrotechnics and lasers. We got them out of the American Legion Mall in about a week,” said Channing Howard, a wildlife biologist with the state. “This year, they have gotten used to some of the noises. Crows are a lot smarter than starlings.”
The experts said the crows are expected to vacate the area by the middle of March.
© 2010 UPI. Displayed by permission. All rights reserved.
