Loss of valuable grapes to Growers and Vineyards is an annual problem and until now there have been very limited options for control. The most common is to tie “flash tape” to wire strings in the hope that the hologram type of reflections will scare birds away. However results from this repellent are very poor to minimal.

Above shows a Peregrine Falcon replica in full flight. Although strictly defined as a “kite” that is about where the similarity begins and ends. Note in the above photo how the wind creates creases on the wings to imitate feathers and note also the legs and feet folded as happens in flight with real birds.

The shape of the wings are an almost perfect replica of the real bird and even the ends of the wings have feathers.

It takes only a 2MPH wind for the kite to start to rise and it is held off the ground by using a unique extending pole that is either fiberglass or aluminum. The glass rod extends nearly 23ft and the flight line is another 15ft giving it a maximum height of flight of 38ft.

The extending aluminum pole is 40ft high and the flight line can be increased to 35ft to give a maximum flight height of 75ft.

In windy conditions the predator moves in many different directions; it goes up, down, sideways, swoops and dives then goes back up etc so there is no regularity as would be the case with a true predator bird.

The photos below show a test site where a flock of about 60 pigeons were roosting on a building on the waterfront. The roof was cleaned and sanitized then the “Predator” was flown off a 40ft pole. The effect on the flock was instantaneous. Enlarge the right photo by clicking on it and dragging the handles to see the predator in flight.

 

We are seeing promise with the falcon in terms of bird control and are continuing to test the range in which the kite is effective. Additional kites may be needed for larger areas.