To kill a mocking, err, blackbird...

[Illiniwek]

What do y'all think about shooting blackbirds/starlings on your property? Are they really pests, or are they better left alone? I've heard that they are messy and that they terrorize other, more attractive birds, but the jury's still out, in my opinion.

 

[AndyR]

A BB gun is quiet and effective on starlings.

 

[fmorgan]

The jury may be out on whether you want to have starlings around, but the verdict is pretty clear as to their role in altering certain historial balances. Like English sparrows, starlings are non-native, non-migratory birds which aggressive and territorial toward other birds and, as a result of these traits, highly-capable reproducers. If you are interested in any kind of habitat for, especially, purple martins or bluebirds, then sparrows and starlings are extremely detrimental--sparrows will take over existing nests and push out eggs, and starlings will physically attack nesting martins. In fact, Congress banned the importation of English sparrows and starlings into the United States in 1960; they are categorized the same as zebra mussels. Although I don't make quit as much a campaign of it as Congress did, I do use a Beeman air gun without hesitation if either one is getting in the way of other species.

 

[EdKing]

<font color=blue>What do y'all think about shooting blackbirds/starlings on your property?</font color=blue>

I use a .22 rifle with Remington Subsonics. They are quieter and the bullet doesn't travel as far. Add bluejays to the list as well, very hateful birds.

 

[mrolson]

.22 rifle ? That will travel a long way. I think a shotgun would be a safer choice.

 

[DAP]

Even though starlings are non-native, and worse, brood parasiztes (like brown-headed cowbirds, they remove host eggs, usually warbler eggs, and replace their own eggs in the nest whereby the host will roost them regardless), they still serve the best and most important purpose of any birds in our lands, namely as ecological barometers.

Attempting to destroy their populations (good luck) is only another chip off of our ecology. Like it or not, its scientific fact, not a political issue or a NRA issue or a Bambi-complex issue.

 

[EdKing]

I just make sure I have something behind my line of fire. Same as when I hunt squirrels, make sure there is something behind what you are shooting at that will stop the bullet should you miss. A shotgun is fine, but is heavier, louder, costs more to shoot, and has a much more limited range.

 

[bsauter]

What about a 22 shell with shot in it. I heard they make them but have not looked yet. Might up my kill percentage a little over a BB gun.

 

[justractors]

They do make a .22 caliber round with very small shot but it is not effective much beyond 15' and even at 15" mice will often run off after being hit.
The 22 shotshell rounds will not function in most 22 semiautos because the overall case length is about 3/8" more than the longrifle case and usually hangup on the receiver.
I prefer to use 22 shorts in an my old single shot rifle. They will work in a semiauto but normally you have to eject the spent casing by hand. The shorts are somewhat difficult to find and they cost considerably more at about $3.00 for a box of 50 rounds.
The shorts are fairly quiet and do not travel near as far as the long or long rifle.
BTW I also use the shorts to kill hogs since they only penetrate about 4" to 6" and I have never had one exit the head.
I also use a .36 caliber blackpower pistol with round balls and a very light load for starlings.
Bill

 

[beenthere]

I have had good luck with 22 Federal long rifle bird shot, and poor results when using 22 long rifle CCI shotshell.
I effectively kill doves at 10 yards with the Federals, but cannot kill a sparrow at 10 feet with the CCI's.

I am not sure what the internal differences are.