Sandhills Pecking Screens
 

I live on a small lake in the northern part of TV. Love watching the wildlife — especially the Sandhill Cranes. However, recently the Sandhills have taken to pecking holes in my birdcage screens — quite a few. Have no idea why or what to do about it. Any thoughts?

I have heard people who feed them and then stop or run out of food, then the sandhills attack the screens trying to get more foodat that residence. DO Not Feed The Birds. I know this happened over on Hacienda Golf Course at a private residence a while back.

Thanks. No, I do not feed any wildlife although I do have a couple bird feeders. Have never seen the Sandhills using them.

Well perhaps you should try removing your bird feeders and find out if that's the issue...

Do you have a Summer kitchen?

No summer kitchen, but a large grill — except that is not where they are pecking. Could it be they are looking at swimming pool???

I've never seen them in the water, so I doubt if that's it. Do you have plants on your side of the cage?

They will often do this if they see their reflection in windows or sliding glass doors. Strangely, about 5 years ago there was one street in The Villages, (I forget the name) where we were doing a lot of warranty inspections on that street that almost every house had multiple ruined screens because the birds would see their reflections and attack. The birds would actually injure themselves on the window. It was sad and gross as it involved a lot of blood.
The homeowners tried everything, even buying security bars over the windows to stop it. Quite strange.....being all on one street...

Frank D.

They also "peck" lizards off of the screens for unintentional damage.

I'm on a golf course and have no problem with the birds. I have bushes bordering my lanai. My neighbor has only grass up to his lanai and has had problems in the past with screen damage from the sand hill cranes. Their food source is grubs beneath the turf, so they usually stay on the grass. Their attraction to screens is unique behavior.

Its most likely because someone near you is feeding them if youre not. This usually is a major issue when food is no longer provided. Thry still flock to the same area looking. People think, oh how cute they are. Wrong! Quit feeding them! Any animal or bird being fed will constantly return

Bird feeders are the problem. They attract the Sand Cranes.

Crane’s
 

If there is bird seed in the cage they are trying to get to it. It is against the law to feed the wildlife in Florida. Good luck 👍

Shotgun!

Do you have bird feed stored on your lanai? I don't care if the feed is triple wrapped, critters will try to get to it.