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News, little truths and wisdom regarding Pest Bird & Animal Wildlife Control, Falconry, and Birds of Prey....
Why Should I Hire Wildlife Removal Services?
- Written by: Dan Frankian
When is it time to call in a Wildlife Removal Specialist?
If you’ve noticed raccoons and other wildlife frequenting your property, they may have made a den in your shed or near your garden or even in your house. This is bad news for you and your family. Not just because these animals can be a nuisance, but also because they can pose a health and safety hazard.
Before the winter weather hits and they make their way into your home for warmth and shelter, it’s important to remove any invitations to unwanted wildlife from your property. Your best option is to call a wildlife control company professional. Only a designated professional has the knowledge, training, expertise, and tools to handle unpredictable wildlife.
Why Call Hawkeye for Wildlife Removal?
Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control uses a number of effective passive and active removal methods to get rid of wildlife and keep them off of your property for good.
We are the only pest bird and animal/wildlife control company in the country designated "Certified Wildlife Control Professional" and in possession of licences and permits that enable us to euthanize pest animals in accordance with the Canadian Veterinary Association’s standards, if the client so desires.
We can also set up a one-way exit device to allow wildlife to exit your property carefully and safely without causing any harm to you, the animals, or your structure. Our expert, licensed technicians can employ a number of safe, humane, and effective live trapping methods.
See more reasons why hiring a professional wildlife trapping service provider is essential »
Raccoon On A Hot Roof
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Does a hot roof hurt raccoons?
A hot surface, such as a roof, is not likely to hurt a raccoon. While their paws are quite sensitive, they develop calluses very similar to dogs, cats, and even people. That’s how they are able to walk and run across sharp stones and gravel without flinching. Otherwise Doctors and Vet offices would be inundated with sore feet on us and our pets every summer. Yes, concrete and asphalt pavement can get very hot in the summer but wildlife as well as our pets usually have enough callus formation to prevent any injuries, unless they are still very young or are not used to walking on hard, rough, uneven surfaces.
Raccoon paws are very sensitive as their eye sight isn’t the greatest. They use their paws rather than their eyes to figure out what is in front of them by feel. They will pick up an object to feel it and smell it to find out if it’s edible or usable in some way. Raccoons also have a lot of callus build up on their paws because they quickly get used to walking on hard, rough, uneven surfaces, especially raccoons that live in cities where there is a lot of pavement that can get quite hot in warmer weather. When the footing is too hot they tend to stay off it and find an easier way through or around to get to their destination.
ALL ABOUT GEESE
- Written by: Dan Frankian
The Canada Goose is very recognizable, black head, white cheek patches and long black neck. There are several different “races” of Canada Geese. The smallest one - the cackling Canada Goose is only about 1.1 kg, while the Giant Canada Goose - the largest, weighs up to 8 kg. Wing span on the smaller birds is just under a metre while the larger birds can be just over 2 metres. The underbelly can range from light grey to chestnut brown, sometimes almost blackish brown.
Canada Geese fly in large V shape flocks of sometimes over a thousand birdes when migrating, and are able to travel more than 1,000 km in one day. They make a very loud honking sound to announce themselves.
Habitat
You can find Canada Geese in nearly any area with water, small ponds, lakes, or rivers. They spend as much time in water as they do on land. Water is their safe zone to flee from fox, coyote, and other predators. You can find geese on beaches, parks or golf courses with ponds, sheltered mountain streams, and rivers. They also like large agricultural fields with crops or leftovers from crops that give them plenty of food. They like to eat young grasses, roots, stems, seeds, and even berries for their young.
More Coyote Attacks in Burlington, Ontario
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Coyotes have become ubiquitous in urban and suburban areas. If you have a problems with coyote in your area please contact HAWKEYE Bird & Animal Control for removal.
Why do Coyotes suddenly attack humans?
We have a theory... For over 2 years, the general population has been mostly absent or greatly reduced, due to the extended lockdowns in response to COVID. Closed restaurants and other businesses meant less easily available food in trash bins, so the animals slowly moved into more populated neighbourhoods. During those months of lockdowns, residents may have also taken comfort in watching and feeding wildlife. With life returning to more normal activities, Coyotes are suddenly finding themselves pushed out of cushy territories, that had been their home for some time. So, we believe that the current attacks on residents are a combination of territorial aggression and a demand for food.
Coyotes, Canis latrans, are medium-sized dog like animals (weight: about 8-20 kg; length: approximately 1-1.4 m) that range throughout North America and into the top of South America. The range and number of coyotes seems to be expanding, probably due to their high reproductive capabilities, great dispersal ability, and opportunistic food habits. Coyote expansion has also been made easier by the elimination of so many wolves, with whom they usually compete unsuccessfully and avoid. Coyotes show an amazing ability to adapt and compensate for increased human exploitation. They are able to exist and reproduce successfully in extremely diverse habitats ranging from urban, to suburban, rural, mountains, desert, and from coast to coast. Neither altitude, latitude, nor vegetation restricts their survival.
It’s no surprise to most people to learn that coyotes are amazing and adaptable animals who can live just about anywhere, ranging from remote wild environs to crowded urban areas. They eat just about anything and often are mischaracterized for being vicious predators who routinely harass humans and their companion animals. While attacks do occur, in reality, they’re quite rare, considering all of the opportunities coyotes actually have to interact with humans and domestic animals.
Do NOT Poison Animals
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Before resorting to desperate, inhumane, and illegal measures, please know that we are authorized to permanently remove raccoons and other wildlife from your home or business.
A Toronto man was recently charged for setting a raccoon trap containing bread dipped in wiper fluid – tragic for both the raccoon and the perpetrator. According to reports, the raccoon recovered and has been released. For the man charged with animal cruelty, the fallout from this incident will undoubtedly be felt for a long while.
While nobody can or would condone his actions, this man’s frustration and desperation is not entirely uncommon and warrants at least a little bit of sympathy. Countless home and business owners find that, upon engaging one of the local companies offering animal wildlife control, captured animals are released literally at the bottom of their driveway. And, of course, the animal promptly returns – resulting in follow up calls to the animal control company again. And again. And again.
If captured wildlife is released in Ontario, it must be no more than 1 kilometer from where trapped or caught. The reason behind the regulation is two fold:
- If animals are released at a greater distance from their usual habitat, they may face serious hardship and even death. Doing so would decidedly NOT be humane.
- To prevent the spread of Rabies or other diseases. Especially animals who are fearless of people, may carry rabies.
So, what is a home owner to do, once a raccoon, skunk, or squirrel decides to move into their yard, shed, or home? Most people assume that their only options are to either spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on recurring calls to have the animal trapped and released , or accept their fate and learn to live with the animal.
There is a third option. The animal can be humanely destroyed. However, this option requires extensive training and licensing – something, most animal or wildlife control companies do not possess and therefore cannot offer. WE CAN. Hawkeye is the ONLY Certified Wildlife Professional Company in Canada and authorized to euthanize a captured raccoon at the request of the property owner. EVERY Hawkeye technician holds a fur bearer’s license and is required to keep up with appropriate training and education.
Please do not take matters into your own hands and risk breaking the law – call Hawkeye at 416.429.5393 to have an animal removed permanently. Guaranteed.
Coyote Attacks in Burlington, Ontario
- Written by: Dan Frankian
UPDATE Sep 1, 2022
Unfortunately, additional attacks are being reported in the City of Burlington. These attacks are uncharacteristic of coyotes and this cluster of attacks on humans are the first reported in Burlington.
Hawkeye will return and continue to assist, dealing with the animal(s) directly. Meanwhile, city staff are in contact with owners of a property which seems to contain a coyote den. Efforts are made to clear out vegetation and fallen trees to dissuade the animals from continuing to use this site as a denning area. Residents are offered 'Coyote Whistles' until the crisis is resolved. More information here »
On August 24th, 2022, Hawkeye was called to the City of Burlington after a third report of an unprovoked attack on human life in recent days.
Thanks to Animal Services staff, who played a key role in tracking the coyote identified as being responsible for all three attacks. The attacks resulted in injuries to a toddler in a fenced yard, and adult female, and an 18 year old female in open spaces. Two of the incidents occurred during the day; the last incident was reported to have happened during the evening of August 23rd. All victims received medical treatment and have been released from hospital.
While there have been some coyote sightings in the past, this is the first time that the city of Burlington had to deal with reported attacks. And, although attacks are rare, the city approved and implemented a Coyote Response Strategy in 2015. The document outlines guidelines on preventing and managing conflicts with coyotes, including escalation in relation to the severity of the incident(s).
Bird strikes still a danger to Aviation
- Written by: Dan Frankian
It may seem quite inconceivable that a small bird could bring down an airplane. Sadly, it continues to happen to both commercial and military aircraft.
The danger is real and the danger is ever present, especially for smaller aircraft. A bird (sometimes even more than one) flying or being sucked into an aircraft engine often causes catastrophic engine failure and subsequent loss of human life. Such was the cause leading up to last year last year's fatal crash of a Canadian military Snowbird demonstration jet in Kamloops, B.C.
The Royal Canadian Air Force's Directorate of Flight Safety released its final report today on the accident, which took place on May 17 of last year and killed Capt. Jenn Casey, the public affairs officer for the aerobatics team. The investigation found that a single, small bird was sucked into the engine of the aircraft — Snowbird 11 — following take-off. That resulted in a compressor stall and a loss of thrust as the aircraft was trying to climb.
"Evidence suggests that the damage caused by the bird ingestion was insufficient for it to cause a catastrophic failure but rather the engine most likely continued running, albeit in a stalled condition," the flight safety report concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions about Owls
- Written by: Dan Frankian
- How many species of owls are there?
In Canada, we see around 15 different species of owls. Those include Great Horned Owls, Great Gray Owls, Short Eared and Long Eared Owls, Barn Owls, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Eastern and Western Screech Owls, Burrowing Owls, Snowy Owls, Northern Pygmy Owls, Flammulated Owls, Barred owls, and Boreal Owls.
This may seem a lot… but there are over 200 owl species worldwide. Owls can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
- Where do owls live?
Owls can be found in many habitats; from mountainous regions to forests and deserts. The snowy owl is at home in colder climates. Owls are hard to spot; not only are they mostly nocturnal but, they also blend in fabulously with their surroundings. Owls will stalk and hunt their prey from high up in trees, but that’s not necessarily where they live. They often make their home in lower shelter, such as bushes, shrubs and tree trunks. The burrowing owl even takes shelter in underground dwellings dug by other animals.
- Do owls migrate?
Some owls do migrate but many of the species found in Canada stay here year round. The ones that do migrate, will generally only go as far as the northern United States. Great Horned Owls have been observed to migrate east, rather than south. When food becomes scarce in the prairies, they head up to 1500km east or south-east.
- How long do owls live?
In the wild, most owls get to be around 10 years old. In captivity, they can live almost twice as long. Mind you, life expectancy very much varies according to owl size and species. A small barn owl may only live to be 4 years old while a larger bird like the snowy owl can easily live to 10 and over.
- How do you tell a female owl from a male?
Size is often a first indicator: Like many bird species, a female owl will generally grow larger than a male. Certain species have distinct markings as well… for example, female barn owls will have a brown throat where males have a white throat. But, without seeing a male and a female of the same species sitting side by side, it would be next to impossible to tell for the average owl watcher.
- What do owls eat?
Generally speaking, owls mostly eat small mammals, but also frogs, snakes, insects, and even fish. It very much depends on the size of the owl and the prey available in the area.
Raccoon Control and Removal - Why it is important in the fall season
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Did you know that Toronto has been dubbed the ‘Raccoon Capitol of the World’? Estimates put Toronto’s raccoon population well over 100,000. Originally from the tropics, raccoons have slowly migrated north and can now be found all over North America - as far north as Alaska, as well as in Europe and even Japan. In fact, Japan is bemoaning many ancient temples being destroyed by raccoons. Raccoons are highly adaptive, both in terms of habitat and food. Scientists have studied raccoons for decades and still aren’t close to fully understanding raccoon behavior. Raccoons are intelligent and highly skilled when it comes to raiding your garbage or gaining entry into your home. Learn how to prevent raccoons from accessing your home or failing that, remove them.
Greater Toronto Area residents may come nose to nose with a raccoon or five more so now, during the fall months, than most other times of year. And while you may be sympathetic to the animals seeking shelter for the upcoming winter months, you definitely do not want that shelter be in your home, shed, or under your deck or roof.
Read more: Raccoon Control and Removal - Why it is important in the fall season
Pigeons in Toronto
- Written by: Dan Frankian
"Feeding pigeons" may invoke visions of Julie Andrews and 'Tuppence a bag' but in the City of Toronto that may well become a thing of the past. In July 2021 a motion was passed to consider a ban of feeding pigeons in the City of Toronto. The reasons given included piegons gathering in large flocks interfering with the enjoyment of public as well as private spaces, significant property damage, attraction of rats and health risks to humans.
Toronto Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam brought forth the motion which is set to explore the feasibility of implementing such a ban with a report back expected next March.
To put things into perspective, the City of Toronto spends a small fortune each year on pigeon control and associated clean-up. Property Management Compnaies spend millions more. Pigeon droppings are more than just unsightly; they do pose health risks and due to their acidic nature they do cause a fair bit of damage to structures such as buildings (especially, historic ones), monuments, and perhaps most importantly bridges and overpasses. Steel structures in particular fall vicitm to corosion from bird droppings.
Pigeon Health Risk to Humans
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Can you get sick from pigeons?
Pigeons in general do carry a lot of disease but most are not transferrable to humans. The one way humans can contract diseases from pigeons is by exposure to their droppings. You do not need to be in direct contact with pigeon droppings to contract the diseases it carries; these diseases can become airborne and enter your system unknowingly. With enough exposure you may begin to experience flu like symptoms or lung disease.
For those who have had minimal exposure and are in good health, it is unlikely to experience any symptoms at all from these diseases. The majority of people who have contracted diseases from pigeon droppings have recovered with no medical intervention, and if needed there are medications that can combat these diseases. If you have concerns that you have contracted one of these diseases and are experiencing severe symptoms you should go to your nearest emergency room. If your symptoms seem quite mild, you will likely recover on your own.
Pigeon control and removal
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica) are descendants from domestic pigeons that have returned to the wild. The domestic pigeon was originally bred from the wild rock dove, which naturally inhabits sea-cliffs and mountains. Rock, domestic, and feral pigeons are all the same species and will readily (and successfully) interbreed.
Having adapted to urban terrain, pigeons claim roof tops,ledges, and solar panels as nesting grounds and are seen in towns and cities everywhere. In addition to leaving highly unsightly and massively corrosive excrement, pigeons are also carriers of diseases transmittable to humans.
Hawkeye specializes in the removal (abatement) of nuisance birds, or pest birds, such as pigeons. We use a variety of methods to help control the number of pigeons in urban settings.
How do I permanently get rid of pigeons?
Contrary to what you may hear or read, tin foil, plastic owls, or noise makers are temporary, at best. These type of ‘repellents’ may work for a few days but, the birds learn quickly that there is no real threat and ignore them in short succession. A multiple method approach is your best bet for a long term solution. The key to getting rid of pigeons is to make the area unappealing to them. The least invasive and most effective way to do this is with the use of falconry. Birds of prey are highly effective, scaring a large number of pigeons away from any area. Falconry, combined with other methods such as trapping, shooting, and physical changes to their roosting and nesting areas are effective long term solutions. We alter their nesting areas or restrict access to them through the use of ledge protection systems and netting. Coil, spring wire, spikes, bird points and netting are all additional solutions for pigeon control, but it takes an expert to know when, where and how to use them to have an impact and it depends solely on the type of pressure the birds are causing. We are equipped to provide solutions for any type of bird pressure.
Hawkeye is the #1 Pigeon Control & Removal Specialist in the Toronto and Greater Toronto/Golden Horseshoe areas.