Starlings
Introduced into Australia in the 1850’s in Victoria, Starlings are now widespread throughout eastern Australia, and are now so numerous they threaten native bird species by competing for nesting places. Up to three broods of four or five young each a year can be raised by a single pair of birds.

In late summer, starlings can congregate in huge flocks (15,000 plus) and can cause significant damage to horticultural industries, particularly cherries, grapes, blueberries, olives, stone fruits, apples, pears, and a range of vegetable crops. They will also damage drying fruit and, occasionally, birds will remove fruit from drying racks. Cereal crops are susceptible when grain is freshly sown and during ripening. Grain from feedlots, storage areas, piggeries, dairies, and poultry farms are often target food sources for Starlings. They can also carry parasites and diseases which raise concern in food processing plants and industrial areas, and are a potential risk to livestock producers. Specifically, they are implicated in carrying and in some cases transmitting salmonella, cryptococci, Newcastle disease (poultry) and transmissible gastroenteritis (pigs).
Aside from the noise, droppings and dust associated with large flocks Starlings also carry lice which become a human hazard when they nest in houses, barns, and urban areas. Acoustic devices, trapping and poisoning is often ineffective against Starlings, therefore our preferred method of elimination is shooting, utilising suppressed firearms for permanent removal.