tinytawnykitten Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 Anyone got any ideas? We have a NZ falcon who comes around our (very small, suburban) garden this time of year to feed on our doves, who live in a dovecote. When I see it I rush outside and flap my arms around and wave a teatowel, generally looking like a crazy fishwife (well I am a fish wife) but it usually comes back. DOC have no suggestions other than to mention that if anything should happen to this rare endangered $%&* thing there will be hefty fines. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxjxa Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 You could try leaving out an alternate source of food for the falcon. E.g. Mice, meat, scraps... It should leave your doves alone then, you could even befriend it! Lol. Not really scaring it away, but it would certainly keep DOC happy to know at least one falcon out there's getting a decent feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinytawnykitten Posted April 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 Oh yeah, I never actually thought of that. Can you buy frozen mice from a pet store? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 Most falcons hunt for sport/fun. By putting other "meals" out for them des nothing more than allow them to breed more and to stay in your area. We have doves as a bussiness (www.weddingwings.co.nz) and the only way to discourage predators is to lock the doves away so there is nothing for them to wait arround for. Your birds will fly better and be healthier for it as well. Perigan falcons in Ozzie are suppost to be endangered in NSW. The DOC people over there said there were only a total of 12 in NSW but in west Sydney (enrith) I watched 13 attacking racing pigeons and just killing them for fun. Some of the racing pigeons were worth over $2000 each. The falcon will take the bird in mid air and go to a nearby field where they will pick it untill dead and leave it on the ground to go and have another score. Lock you birds away and release them once a day for excersize then lock them up again is my advice but do not encourage the falcons by feeding them. Pity you couldnt find the next and keep disturbing it so they no longer felt safe in your area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markoshark Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 Yes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Falcon I'd love to see one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 Let it eat a few Doves :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 The ones I have seen in the mountains round here nest in very inhospitable locations. I have never seen them anywhere other than up the mountains miles from civilization. We live and learn. We do have a pair of wood pidgeons in the park near us for most of the year. Probably running out of food about now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 Are you not allowed to shoot them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 Yes, you can shoot Doves. The owners usually get upset though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 The falcons lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 I think they are breeding falcons here to keep the other birds away that eat the grapes. Have you tried tying a kite or adding a wind ornament or something that flaps to the top of the dove cage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 I agree, let it eat the pigeons, falcons are much cooler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 NZ Falcon is highly protected, fines and possible jail term for interfering with barries idea is best after it realises there is no longer a food source it will go somewhere else conches idea is good as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon28 Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 You could try a kite as Caryl suggested .. something like http://www.skytoys.co.nz/proddetail.asp?prod=PLCROW Given you are in Wellington you could also try Dragon Flight in Carterton, as they would be closer and I know they also stock some of that manufacturers products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 just as a by thought for those that suggested shooting pigeons The maximum fine for shooting racing pigeons in flight/race is $10,000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 "Poor old Speckled Jim..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinytawnykitten Posted April 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 Hmm ok I will go for the flags idea rather than the shooting the doves or letting the falcon eat them idea. I can't keep them in unfortunately, I don't have the means, the dovecote can't be closed in and I won't have room for an aviary. Otherwise I guess nature will just take its course. Last year he came by too and took 4 out of 8 doves, but they did manage to regenerate themselves back to 9 by summer, I guess it is just life! :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 nz falcons are an endangered species common pigeons aren't except for the ones flying over The Conches place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 note the word racing A lot of the NZ racing pigeons would sell in auction for upwards of $1000 and some 5 times that so there is a lot of value in them to the right person Yes hard to prove but they are race horses of the skys and just as much training and care goes into them. I use to spend at least 4 hours per week day plus taking them on training tosses then all day Saturday and half a day on Sundays Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 What about a scarecrow??....Does anyone remember Wurzil Gummidge?? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 What about a scarecrow??....Does anyone remember Wurzil Gummidge?? :lol: my hero along with catweasel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinytawnykitten Posted April 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 my hero along with catweasel I have actually met Wurzil Gummidge (John Pertwee) would you believe! He came to a party at my Dad's (my Dad is a minor celebrity) Off the topic and name dropping blah blah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookie Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 how sure are you its an N.Z Falcon ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 If its not can it be shot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 how sure are you its an N.Z Falcon ? the australasian harrier is a bit slower catching pigeons one visits our place each year and peels out a few, pigeons and guinea pigs amazing to watch them chase a pigeon down through the trees, spends about a week here and then moves on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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