Falconry bird control uses trained birds of prey to discourage pest birds from feeding, roosting and settling around commercial premises. The presence of a natural predator makes the site feel less secure, which can encourage problem birds to move elsewhere.
For warehouses, industrial estates, distribution centres and other large commercial environments, falconry can form an effective part of a wider bird control programme. It can prove particularly useful where birds move across large areas or where physical proofing alone cannot address the entire problem.
What is falconry bird control?
Falconry bird control uses trained birds of prey to create a natural deterrent around commercial premises.
Pigeons, gulls and other pest birds naturally recognise birds of prey as a threat. Therefore, when a trained hawk or falcon regularly flies around a problem area, nuisance birds may become less willing to feed, roost or settle there.
People also sometimes refer to this form of pest management as bird hawking. Pest Control 24 Seven provides specialist bird hawking services for commercial, industrial and other large sites where traditional deterrents may not provide the most practical solution.
Importantly, falconry differs from physical exclusion methods. Rather than blocking access to one specific location, it aims to change bird behaviour across the wider site.
Where does falconry bird control work best?
Falconry can work particularly well across large or open commercial environments where birds move between several areas.
Typical locations include:
- Warehouses
- Distribution centres
- Industrial estates
- Manufacturing facilities
- Food-production sites
- Waste and recycling facilities
- Retail parks
- Loading yards
- Stadiums and large venues
- Commercial roofs
- Large estates and campuses
However, every bird problem differs. For that reason, our team first needs to understand which birds are present, where they gather and what keeps attracting them to the site.
A professional bird management assessment can identify these factors before the team recommends a suitable control programme.
How does falconry bird control work?
Effective falconry bird control usually requires a structured programme rather than a single visit.
The process typically follows several stages.
1 Assess the site and bird activity
First, the team needs to understand how the birds use the property.
A site survey may look at:
- Where birds roost
- Where they nest
- How they enter buildings
- Where they find food and water
- Which structures provide shelter
- Which species are present
- Whether previous deterrents have failed
By identifying these factors first, the team can target the reasons behind the problem instead of simply reacting whenever birds appear.
2 Create a suitable falconry programme
Next, the falconer develops a programme around the individual site.
An established bird population may require more frequent visits at the beginning because the birds already view the site as a safe place to feed or roost.
In addition, varying the timing and flight pattern can help prevent nuisance birds from becoming familiar with the deterrent.
As a result, the programme remains responsive to what actually happens on site.
3 Fly the bird of prey
The trained bird of prey then flies through or around the affected areas under the control of an experienced falconer.
When nuisance birds see the predator, they often move away from the immediate area. More importantly, repeated visits can encourage them to associate the wider site with increased risk.
Therefore, the aim goes beyond temporarily making birds fly away. Instead, the programme seeks to influence their longer-term behaviour.
4 Monitor the results
Bird behaviour can change throughout the programme, so regular monitoring remains important.
For example, birds may stop using one roost but move to another part of the building. Alternatively, activity may reduce significantly in some locations while remaining persistent elsewhere.
Monitoring allows the programme to respond to these changes and helps determine whether the site also needs additional proofing.
5 Combine falconry with other bird-control measures
Falconry does not always work as a standalone solution.
In fact, many commercial sites achieve a more comprehensive result when they combine it with other bird proofing measures.
These may include:
- Bird netting
- Bird spikes
- Entry-point proofing
- Building repairs
- Improved waste management
- Removal of accessible food sources
- Regular inspections
For example, falconry could deter birds across a large industrial estate while bird netting prevents them from accessing a particularly vulnerable loading bay.
What are the benefits of falconry bird control?
It uses a natural predator response
Pest birds instinctively recognise birds of prey as a potential danger.
Therefore, falconry creates a different response from many static artificial deterrents. The bird of prey moves naturally around the site, which helps create an active deterrent.
It can cover large areas
Large commercial sites often contain multiple roofs, yards, buildings and loading areas.
Falconry allows the bird-control programme to cover a much wider environment without requiring a permanent installation across every individual location.
It provides a flexible approach
Bird activity does not always remain in one place.
If the birds move from a loading bay to another roof or yard, the falconer can adapt the programme accordingly.
This flexibility can make falconry particularly useful across industrial estates and large commercial complexes.
It creates minimal permanent alteration
Some buildings cannot easily accommodate permanent proofing systems across every area.
Falconry does not necessarily require physical fixtures on the structure, which can make it useful where access, appearance or building design creates restrictions.
It complements permanent bird proofing
Falconry and physical proofing do not need to compete with each other.
Instead, businesses can use both as part of the same bird management strategy.
For instance, falconry can discourage birds across the wider property, while netting and spikes protect known problem areas.
Falconry bird control vs bird netting
Falconry and bird netting tackle bird problems in different ways.
Falconry aims to change bird behaviour. By introducing a predator, it encourages nuisance birds to regard the wider area as unsafe.
In contrast, bird netting creates a physical barrier and prevents birds from reaching a defined space.
As a result, bird netting often works well around areas such as:
- Loading bays
- Canopies
- Roof voids
- Plant areas
- Internal courtyards
- Building recesses
- High-level structures
However, the netting design also needs to account for future maintenance.
For example, facilities teams may still need access to lights, plant, gutters, services and other equipment. Our guide to bird netting without restricting building maintenance explains why access planning plays an important role in a successful installation.
Falconry bird control vs bird spikes
Bird spiking prevents birds from comfortably landing on specific surfaces.
Businesses commonly use spikes on:
- Parapets
- Roof edges
- Signs
- Ledges
- Pipework
- Beams
- Architectural features
Falconry, meanwhile, influences behaviour across a much larger area.
For example, a facilities manager may choose spikes to protect specific roof ledges while a falconry programme discourages birds from using the wider commercial estate.
Therefore, the right solution depends on where the birds gather and how they use the building.
Why do pest birds keep returning to commercial sites?
Birds usually return because the property continues to offer something they need.
Common attractions include:
- Food
- Water
- Warmth
- Shelter
- Safe nesting locations
- High-level roosting areas
- Waste
- Open access into buildings
Consequently, frightening birds away once rarely tackles the whole issue.
A professional bird management programme looks at the wider environment and identifies what makes the site attractive.
For instance, a business may need to secure waste areas, repair structural openings or protect key sections of the property with physical proofing alongside falconry visits.
By addressing these factors together, the site can become much less attractive to nuisance birds.
Can falconry work alongside bird proofing?
Yes. In many cases, combining several control methods creates a more complete strategy.
For example, a warehouse might use:
- Falconry to discourage birds across the wider site
- Bird netting to restrict access to internal roof areas
- Bird spikes to prevent landing on vulnerable ledges
- Building repairs to close entry points
- Better waste management to reduce food sources
This approach addresses both bird behaviour and physical access.
Pest Control 24 Seven’s bird proofing services can help businesses prevent nuisance birds from landing, roosting and nesting around commercial structures.
How often does falconry bird control need to take place?
No single timetable works for every commercial property.
At first, an established bird problem may require more frequent visits. The falconer can then adjust the schedule as activity changes.
This flexible approach allows the programme to respond to the birds rather than following the same schedule regardless of the results.
Ultimately, the condition of the site, the bird species and the extent of the problem will determine the most appropriate programme.
Is commercial bird control regulated?
Yes.
UK legislation protects wild birds, so businesses cannot simply remove or destroy birds, nests or eggs without considering the relevant legal requirements.
The exact rules depend on factors such as the species involved, the action required and the reason for taking that action.
Therefore, professional bird control should start with proper identification and an assessment of the circumstances.
This approach helps businesses choose suitable control methods while also considering their legal responsibilities.
What problems can pest birds cause on commercial properties?
Pest birds can create significantly more than an appearance problem.
For example, persistent bird activity can lead to:
- Bird droppings around entrances and walkways
- Contamination of plant or equipment
- Nesting material in gutters and drainage systems
- Birds entering warehouses and production areas
- Contamination of stored goods
- Damage to building finishes
- Additional cleaning requirements
- Repeated maintenance problems
- Health and hygiene concerns
- Problems for employees, visitors or customers
Therefore, an effective bird control programme needs to consider both the current activity and the reasons birds continue to return.
Common questions about falconry bird control
Does falconry bird control harm pest birds?
Professional falconry programmes generally focus on deterrence.
The trained bird of prey creates predator pressure, which encourages nuisance birds to move away from the area. Therefore, the programme aims to change their behaviour rather than simply relying on physical interaction.
Will one falconry visit solve the problem?
Usually not.
If birds already use a building as an established feeding or roosting site, one visit is unlikely to change that behaviour permanently.
Instead, repeated and appropriately timed visits help reinforce the impression that the site no longer provides a safe environment.
Can you use falconry inside warehouses?
Falconry may suit certain warehouse environments. However, the team must assess the building first.
For example, they need to consider machinery, staff, racking, vehicle movements, roof height and operational activity before planning any flights.
Can falconry deter pigeons?
Yes, falconry can help discourage pigeons from regularly using commercial premises.
However, the wider site may also require changes. If pigeons still have easy access to food, sheltered nesting spaces and entry points, those factors can encourage them to return.
Is falconry better than bird netting?
Neither method automatically provides a better solution because they perform different roles.
Falconry aims to change behaviour across an area, whereas netting physically blocks access to a specific location.
Therefore, some sites benefit from one method while others achieve better control through a combination of both.
Should businesses inspect existing bird netting?
Yes.
Weather, building maintenance, accidental damage and other site activity can affect existing netting over time.
Our guide on how to check bird netting on a commercial building explains what facilities teams should look for, including torn mesh, loose edges, damaged fixings and open access points.
When to call Pest Control 24 Seven
If birds repeatedly enter, roost or gather around your warehouse, industrial estate or commercial property, simply moving them away may only provide temporary relief.
Instead, Pest Control 24 Seven can assess how the birds use your site, identify the conditions encouraging them to return and recommend an appropriate bird management programme.
Depending on the property and level of bird activity, the solution may include falconry bird control, bird netting, bird spiking or wider bird proofing.
For larger and more complex sites, our team can also consider building layout, operational requirements, maintenance access and ongoing bird activity. As a result, we can develop a bird-control strategy around the site rather than applying a generic solution.
Contact our expert Operations Team to discuss your commercial bird-control requirements.
Pest Control 24 Seven
Telephone: 0203 640 8247
Website: www.pestcontrol24seven.co.uk