The BEST hawk deterrent for pigeon fanciers? BIOLOGY for the WIN!!

[@pascuafamilylofts2262]

I been going through the same problem year after year. The ones that survive the hawk attack makes a better flyer. Smarter and confident (PTSD😂)

[@RFRP]

Possibly so. But I have no doubt that many very good birds are taken as well, sometimes due to poor judgment of the fancier (me 😢)

[@Mdc7748]

😂Cool video! I have been at my house since 2006, first year I used my crow call to bring crows in to dissuade hawks. The crows held a grudge and avoided my property until this year . Now I am leaving treats for them to encourage their presence without “ offending “ them.

[@RFRP]

That is awesome! I’ll have to get a crow call. My neighbor feeds them so that helps 🙂

[@NewBeginningKennelLoft]

I feel your pain. I’ve lost several pigeons like you . Definitely need to try this.

[@RFRP]

Thank you, and good luck!!

[@ausfuhrpramienjagar]

Now we're talking! Ornithology, right up my alley!.. Add 3 or 4 crow or raven decoys around the yard on the roof or fence railing to make it more believable..

[@kerbyjackson88]

Be even more believable if you got the Halloween ones that actually move. They'll probably be on sale in a few weeks.

[@RFRP]

Great point!

[@RFRP]

Agreed!!

[@LuluIsland]

Love this video! Bless your flock and bless your stewardship over them ❤

[@RFRP]

I’m so glad! Thank you 🙏🏼

[@briandarling8604]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I too lost many birds from Coopers Hawks over the last few years. Last year they got my all time favorite bird and it bothered me so much that I was ready to give up on my loft. But this year, I am having much better luck. Don't want to jinx myself but it does vary from season to season. I do pay very close attention to Crows and Blue Jays, they usually give a warning that something isnt right in the area. Your video it brilliant I will give it a try and see if I can continue lucky streak! Thank you! Good luck with your loft!

[@RFRP]

Thanks for the encouragement and I’m glad you didn’t give up!! That’s inspiring

[@fritziejefferson]

Make friends with raven/crow. Throw some pieces of bread on top of your roof or on the ground when you are not loft flying. You want an actual crow/raven that hangs out in your property.

[@RFRP]

Absolutely agree. For this reason for the past few months I’ve been setting out eggs for them that I was just going to toss.

[@anthonymason385]

Hi, your first problem is the positioning of your loft. Move it to open ground, not underneath trees. The second thing I recommend is training your birds to be in the loft or in the air. The third thing I recommend is only letting your birds out during their racing season. So, in the off-season, no birds are visible. Letting birds out year-round is effectively feeding the birds of pray. You are conditioning them to hang around as your garden is one giant bird table for carnivores! I hope this helps. It worked for me in Ireland.

[@RFRP]

@@anthonymason385 these are great suggestions indeed! I appreciate you sharing them. I’ll be working on implementing those

[@LiathBahjatNorCal]

In my area there are thousands of Cooper hawks, red tailed hawks, and peregrine hawks. I lost the best of best racing pigeons to them. Just two days ago they got one of my top imported best kettle. We do have bald head. Vultures, and sometimes condors which I usually wait until they show up and let my pigeons out bcoz they don't attack pigeons, and the moment they show up other hawks disappear. I used red paint which it helped for a short time only.

[@RFRP]

Oh man!! Sorry to hear about that! Super frustrating! I appreciate you sharing your experience as it helps others following the channel too. Best wishes.

[@briananderson2016]

Get yourself a little 2 foot glass fish tank and put one of your small birds in it. Leave it on top of your loft. It's not your fault the hawks kill themselves bashing full speed into the glass trying to get your bird

[@RFRP]

Ha! Never thought of trying that one!! 😆

[@anthonymason385]

You don't want to kill wildlife. it's illegal and won't solve your problem. Also you might go to jail!

[@darinbrewer301]

Try making an elevated food pan just for crows. Feed them pizza crust&some corn bread scraps,only supervised, so squirrels wont get that may keep them closer to ya house. Hum! I love the Bluetooth speaker too!

[@RFRP]

Great idea to feed the crows! Check out the video I posted today with an update on this 🙂

[@amirhameed9714]

Sorry for your loss😢

[@RFRP]

Really appreciate that!

[@fabricdragon]

I am so sorry for your loss :( it seems that its always our favorites too! if you can? make friends with the actual jays and crows and etc. nothing like the real thing around to help out

[@RFRP]

I do feed the crows a bit here and there and the lady behind me does too. Here’s hoping!

[@kerbyjackson88]

I know that Annik Goeteyn in Belgium does something similar, except she plays the calls of the EurAsian Eagle Owl over a bluetooth speaker. They are the natural predators of European hawks and falcons. I've tried similar with the call of Great Horned Owls (our nearest equivalent), but without much success. It tends to keep the Cooper's away, but not the Peregrines. Locally, we have a lot of crows, but they do not seem to be up to much against my Peregrine. The only real deterrent I've seen that works a majority of the time is a blue laser device system developed by a friend, but it's not an over the counter laser and is quite spendy to build.

[@RFRP]

Oh that is very interesting!!

[@kerbyjackson88]

@@RFRP One of the OLRs is currently experimenting with it. I can't remember which one.

[@30Daytalktocamerachallenge]

my father feeds crows every day when he is at his pidgeons. He knows the exact trees where they live and has a family of crows in every direction next to his pidgeons. I have seen them defend the territory from falcons a few times when I was there. He gives them the eggs that didnt produce life and nuts mostly as far as I know. They also trust him noticeable more. When I am there, they dont come as near. Only when I go a little further away they do, while my father is still there Making use of nature, but then using bluetooth does seem like someone trying to lose weight, understanding the concept of having to eat less calories but then buying pills to attempt it. Might work. But nothing tops the actual defenders. Plus, crows are funny to have around :D He still loses birds for multiple reasons. like electrical wires in the air amongst other stuff. But it also definitely keeps the home safer which helps during the training phases I suppose Not into birds myself, but my father does this religiously and that man doesnt do stuff that doesnt work. No time for that

[@RFRP]

That is fascinating to hear about your father’s experience! Thank you for sharing. I leave eggs out for the crows too and the lady in the house behind mine feeds them. Thanks again!

[@30Daytalktocamerachallenge]

thanks for your kind reply! Appreciate it I was thinking about not sharing that because my father is a very competitive guy and wants to get ahead with racing pidgeons, but on the other hand...that could seriously save some lives and from all I know the community can make good use of making the sport more popular by getting rid of some of the pains in it My dad went to jan theelen often and has a strong relationship with him, learns a lot of stuff from him. I will not out all his secrets here, but the crow stuff made me consider feeding them in my freetime as well and made me really appreciate those animals. They are very intelligent. And they defend without killing which is quite a good move for every single one affected in this situation. From the crows who get a good food source from you to you being able to defend your pidgeons to the pidgeons hopefully living in less fear and having more time to actually become strong and capable before the races as well as the falcons who live for another day because who knows what some pidgeon racers would do to them otherwise@@RFRP

[@inmyfreetyme]

Great idea. Hope the crow sounds work. Good luck buddy. Thanks 4 sharing. Cheers ! 😎😎😎😎

[@RFRP]

Thanks my friend!!

[@Pigeonmaniacom]

Did it work? I doubt it because when the hawk is really hungry it doesn't care about anything. It is not afraid of crows, it just hates them because they ruin his ambush, disturb him when he tries to eat and generally they fly after him simulating attacks but they don't really fight with him. I have real crows around and they don't make sounds like those and when they do make sounds, they don't do that nonstop (it would be annoying). I feed the crows and every morning there are several crows walking in front of the loft picking on the ground. They usually chase the hawk after an attack, when it lost the speed and height.

[@Pigeonmaniacom]

Also: the more trees the better for the hawk to ambush. You have the same problem as me. If you can get rid of trees, make as much room as possible around the loft so the pigeons have visibility and the hawk's ambush doesn't work.

[@RFRP]

I have been putting it to the test and will have a video out soon with an update 🙂

[@RFRP]

Yes, I wish my loft was situated in a wide open area. Not much I can do about that unfortunately

[@LizAlexy]

I guess I’m gonna play your video the next time he’s out ! Nice house !!!

[@RFRP]

Yes, give it a try! And thanks for the kind words; it took me longer to build than I care to admit. 🙂🐑🙂

[@LizAlexy]

I’m still sad for your birds taken down by the predators. I woke up thinking about this video when Henry’s been flying all over the lands the last days (sans flock, or knowledge of the wild, kind of scary). I wondered why hawks and birds of prey kill pigeons - is it an airway dominance thing? They don’t appear to eat them and I haven’t understood the theory they want to keep the air clear in territorial feat,since they don’t eat the same things. I’m sorry this has happened to your babies 😢 now I need to decide about Henry’s freedom, a recovered young bird beginning to fly real free and fast, he doesn’t have your racing flock to train him to return home but he’s been out hours the last days and has returned home and I’m grateful for it. On one hand I want him to soar free in the sun, on the other I know I have hawks and eagles around and I wasn’t clear if he would get lost eventually. How’s your flock doing now? I hope the casualties have subsided

[@RFRP]

Aww that’s so kind of you to think about us! 🥰 Actually, since posting this update on hawk attacks I haven’t been flying my birds. Hawks do eat pigeons indeed. That’s nice that Henry is feeling comfortable taking longer flights. But, yes, it’s always a risk when your birds are out that a Cooper’s hawk or something might attack. Do you think Henry might fly off for good one day?

[@LizAlexy]

I can tell you what the last avian vet told me four or five months ago before his physical therapy that recovered his wing we did she said he would be unsafe in nature due to his attachment to me and my canine. That was a while ago and I since learned Henry was real young when we found him injured likely from a hawk! But I believe he’s now strong and athletic, and also looking to bond with a female and I can’t blame him. But he has no avian flock, and despite being attacked, he doesn’t know the risks out there in the big skies, I worry he will get lost or attacked again (like any mother would). He’s happy all the time, in the house, out there, he’s always smiling and exuberant! I will always be concerned about him…I know he wants to breed so I’m torn on my thoughts. Today he wasn’t let outside loose, we are playing w expensive pigeon pants and he’s humping my dogs stuffed animals lol

[@RFRP]

@@LizAlexy Yeah, I expect he’ll keep to you for the rest of his life. Oh dang! Buffy must have some cute plush toys!

[@givemeyourfish]

Totally crazy idea but have you considered hiring a falconer to trap the hawk? Shouldn't be difficult and they could relocate and/or use the hawk. There are even falcons that they could fly to deter a red tail.

[@kerbyjackson88]

Befriending a falconer is a good idea and they are licensed to trap. One of the barriers involved is that their licenses don't necessarily apply to all birds of prey. Most of them are only licensed to trap young birds, which leaves the mature birds of prey completely off limits.

[@RFRP]

That’s an interesting thought indeed! I could safely trap it and release it far away from my area but more would take its place. Too many trees in this neighborhood including a small forested patch.

[@hamiltonliu3617]

Awesome thanks

[@RFRP]

Welcome 😊

[@josephlamrani6196]

Love the idea brother , how u been and how r the kids doing ? Great birds as they look almost done with molting fantastic lines when u come to Tx u gotta check out what I got

[@RFRP]

Hi Joseph! Long time it seems! We are doing well, thanks. And you?

[@Unipuna]

I was going to try & recruit my local crows into hanging around my property as body guards for my pigeons, so this is a good back up plan for if they decide the pay offer isn’t good enough for their services 😂

[@RFRP]

@@Unipuna love it!!! 😆

[@andrewlemon-xm2ru]

Is the speaker with the crow's call to attract the crow's or to let the hawks think there's crows there to keep them away

[@RFRP]

@@andrewlemon-xm2ru both, but mostly the latter

[@andrewlemon-xm2ru]

What you mean by latter

[@RFRP]

@@andrewlemon-xm2ru both, but mostly to make the hawks think there are crows in the area

[@howtotrainyourpigeon]

3 weeks in, how have you fared with it?

[@RFRP]

It actually has helped! I’ll be posting an update on it soon. Got feedback from other fanciers that it has helped 🤞🏻

[@paovang187]

Kinda reminds me of my last season. Boy, birds after birds were just getting hit weekly from October until December.

[@RFRP]

Yep. Time to shut the birds down for a few months maybe

[@TPowellTipplers]

I feel your pain.

[@RFRP]

Thanks for commiserating

[@sergioperez6365]

I have had a crow nest a few houses away. When they were here I never had an issue. Recently since they left it’s been hell. I found a crow/raven feathered statue I will be trying with your video

[@RFRP]

Oh that is fascinating! I’m not surprised to hear that. Thanks for sharing

[@bmwalsh62]

Great idea!!

[@RFRP]

Thank you! 😊

[@stevez7854]

I race as well have not had a hawk attack in over 3 years now. Put a stand out back 4 feet high, and every day FEED THE CROWS

[@RFRP]

That is awesome to hear! Thanks for sharing, my friend!!

[@andreaslarssen7430]

Same problem but at the same time. Nature is nature

[@RFRP]

True enough!

[@raythor6581]

Love it good idea

[@RFRP]

🙏🏼🍀

[@Utubeisassho]

Had a basket of birds in driveway....Raven comes in and pulls two heads off! Be aware of your surroundings🇨🇦🧂

[@RFRP]

😳 How old were your birds?

[@fatalxiong5320]

You should buy like two fake crows like how they use for hollowed decoration and put on top loft when playing the crow sounds through your speakers. I’m ordering two just to put on my loft maybe one on top my house .

[@RFRP]

I had the exact same thought. Just need to find some online…

[@riicekrrispiies_jdm]

Thank you!!!

[@RFRP]

You're welcome!

[@LizAlexy]

Do the audio recordings help bc I think my father knows something about this I’m gonna ask him later and circle back if he says anything helpful

[@RFRP]

The idea is the audio recordings should ward off hawks since they try to avoid crows and ravens at all costs. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 What is your father’s experience with this?

[@darinbrewer301]

Thanks for video

[@RFRP]

🙏🏼

[@GinoNearns]

Sorry, James

[@RFRP]

Thanks Gino!

[@LizAlexy]

I seriously just saw a hawk circling during yoga practice and made sure Henry went in his cage. No thanks my friends Henry is not your victim this time

[@RFRP]

Well done!!

[@KarimsPigeonLoft]

They ( Hawks) always take the good ones 😢😢

[@RFRP]

Right?!

[@leothechibowow9920]

Good idear. Playing recorded sounds

[@RFRP]

🤞🏻

[@leothechibowow9920]

What about an owl hootin sounds, maybe??

[@miguelm3676]

That’s why I quit Hawk, coopers peregrine etc bad birds.

[@RFRP]

😢😢 Sad to hear that. Where are you located?

[@LizAlexy]

I’m so so sorry :(

[@RFRP]

Appreciate that Liz!

[@juliosdiy3206]

When go out i always call the crow saying hawk hawk hawk n it works!

[@RFRP]

NICE!!! 😁

[@andrewlemon-xm2ru]

Has anyone tried this out with the crow calls

[@RFRP]

A few viewers have reported back that it has made a difference for them. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[@abetntwarrios8882]

Don't reflection of the sun scarce the living days out of the hawks

[@Dimarik73rus]

Trust the pigeon breeder from Russia, where there are thousands of these hawks. No means can scare away a hawk. He's not afraid of shotgun pellets the first time. All this is useless

[@RFRP]

😢

[@Ashley.falcon]

I am a falconer, and also keep pigeon. I live in a forested area full of hawks. Two things I do to protect my birds. - let my pigeons out at sunrise to fly. The hawks likely still have their casting from the day before. My pigeons(homers) fly around for an hour before returning to the loft. - My pigeons wear Chinese pigeon whistles. I take my whistles off during the molt and will see an increase in young birds being killed. The hawks only ever kill the young pigeons, it sure sucks to watch them get picked off by Cooper’s hawks, and occasional a red tailed hawk.

[@RFRP]

THANK YOU for offering this advice! I have always been interested in falconry and wish I could do it. As a kid I read every book I could find on falconry. I may have to try those whistles... I've seen some fanciers spray paint the underside of their birds' wings with fluorescent colored livestock paint in an attempt to deter birds of prey. Do you think this would actually deter a hawk or falcon? Really appreciate you taking the time to offer expert advice.

[@Ashley.falcon]

@@RFRP I don’t think the paint will will make a difference. But then I didn’t think the whistles would either and have seen that they really do work. if I let my pigeons stay out all day that’s when I risk even my best birds. The hawks will wait until the perfect moment to catch your birds off guard. letting the birds out a few times even seems to be ok. each time I let them out I add a little feed in so they want to go back and pick out their favorites grains and are then trapped. The most dangerous time to fly for me has been late morning and evening. Seems to be leak hunting times for my local hawks. I’ll upload a new video I took the other day of the pigeons flying with their whistle on. The cheap plastic ones from china are really good. Two tone, and the ball shaped one. In the video I’ll post about 5 birds have whistles.

[@RFRP]

@@Ashley.falcon Awesome!! Can’t wait to see the video! And thanks for weighing in on the colored paint

[@sumodvs17]

😔

[@RFRP]

🙏🏼

[@anthonymason385]

One thing I will say is don't be tempted to interfere with birds of pray. It won't work, and you might end up in court!

[@RFRP]

@@anthonymason385 I actually really like birds of prey. I know that’s an unpopular opinion among pigeon fanciers but I think they are very cool despite being such a headache with pigeons

[@anthonymason385]

I like them too. They are cool. Crow calls, stuffed owls, and so on won't work. Three things I did. 1. Have your loft on the most open ground you have. This allows the pigeons to get a head start. Under a tree like you have would allow even a female sparrow hawk to take birds. 2 Birds belong in the air or in the loft in areas with high birds of pray numbers. In the off-season, keep inside the loft away from prying eyes. 3. Breed 20% more than you need. This allows natural selection around the loft. Remember, pigeons WILL meet their arch enemies, the long winged falcons when racing. Also, remember, and this is a cold, hard fact. Every year, we breed replacements for our losses. So if a pigeon can't out manoeuvre a falcon around the loft, what chance if far from home on unfamiliar ground.

[@pigeon8298]

💔💔💔💔💔

[@RFRP]

😢

[@mrr4975]

Unfortunately this is a huge problem here in England up and down the country so will defo give this method a go.

[@RFRP]

I have heard hawks and falcons are particularly bad in the UK. Best wishes!!

[@HerbysHanz]

Hello. I read an English book on Hawking. It may have had something to do with France, but I am hoping u can find it by you. In that book , there’s a remedy for dropping all the feathers from the BOPs . And if u do find that info, please share it. I went back to the book, but the pages were missing. 🙏

[@domenicpulera3424]

Great idea!

[@RFRP]

Thank you!! ☺️