[LLamers]

If the screen is on a window (as opposed to a lanai screen) - it is most likely a male defending his territory from another male as he doesn't recognize himself. A piece of cardboard inserted between the screen and the window solves the problem as he can no longer see his reflection.

[Veiragirl]

Originally Posted by CCristella

Shotgun!

Wrong. Unless you're a good ole boy

[dstydahar]

If you keep food for them inside that screen or any bird food they will do that.

[C. C. Rider]

Originally Posted by LLamers

If the screen is on a window (as opposed to a lanai screen) - it is most likely a male defending his territory from another male as he doesn't recognize himself. A piece of cardboard inserted between the screen and the window solves the problem as he can no longer see his reflection.

It also pretty much defeats the purpose of having a window there in the first place since you can't see through the cardboard. Also, the cardboard would look much worse than having a few holes in your screen.

[SydMom]

Gv
Gbb

[OpusX1]

Sand Hill Cranes are protected.

The killing or "taking" of a Sandhill Crane is a violaiton of both state and federal law. If the taking was done intentionall, there are fine of up to $50,000 and potential jail of up to one year in prison.

[Velvet]

To avoid seeing their reflection have no reflecting coating on windows or bushes close to lanai except at the doors. I haven’t tried this on sand cranes but motion sprinklers work well on most animals. The sound and the water should startle them.

[Irishmen]

Originally Posted by NebraskaRon

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?

Had the same here. Find out who's feeding the cranes....When they come to house turn on irrigation which scares em somewhere else to break their habit.

[Dana1963]

Originally Posted by CCristella

Shotgun!

Unlike cormorants, however, the flesh of sandhill cranes is edible and is reported by hunters to taste much like pork chops, so the birds are not merely killed and composted, but are also consumed.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by NebraskaRon

Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions— lots of good info.

Taking all comments into account and eliminating all that do not fit my situation, I am focused on the grass running up to my Cage right where they are pecking — I think I need a new flower bed with rocks along the cage.

Special thanks to the gun advice: shotgun or .22. I was a pretty good shot at one time, but not as good lately. Perhaps I can find an AK-47. 🤪

Get you An AA-12

AA-12 Fully Automatic Shotgun!!! - YouTube

[arentschler]

Had the same problem about 8 years ago.
I put up a fish line 3 feet above the ground
and 3 feet out from the lanai screen. No
problems since. When I was gone for the summer
I think the birds would see there shadow
in the lanai glass door and thought it was a predator.

Al Rentschler
Saline Michigan
Liberty Park snow bird

[bilcon]

Remember, bird feeders also bring rats. Where there is food, there could be rats. We had a few at our first house. Massey came, looked around area, found bird feeders next door. I spoke to the owner and when he heard there were rats, he took down the bird feeders. No more rats.

[Irishmen]

Originally Posted by Veiragirl

Wrong. Unless you're a good ole boy

I believe Sandhills are protected as well.

[Msgt. Rick]

We lived in a nice community just north of Orlando (Lake Mary), prior to moving here. We had a lot of the Sand Hill Cranes and people were always complaining about the birds pecking holes in their screens. Most claimed it was from bugs on the screens. I never heard of a real cure of them.