I might have a bird problem

[dgc1961]

Yesterday I noticed a red bird hanging around in the area of our apiary.  I thought at first it was a Cardinal but after reasearching I found out it is a Summer Tanager....the problem is the nick name for this bird is "BEE CATCHER".  They specialize in catching bees and wasp in flight.

So now what do I do.  He is obviously hanging around eating my bees.  I don't want to have to shoot him, but then I don't want him eating my bees. 

Does anybody have any suggestions, or has run into this problem before?

[MrJeff]

Why shoot it? It's highly unlikely that this is the only one around, since they aren't exactly rare. This is just the one that manged to find where the bees are coming from. How many bees do you think him and his buddies have feasted on away from the bee yard? Just try scaring him off somehow.

[Two Bees]

Let him be!

I seriously doubt that he will catch enough honey bees for you to notice.  They also like wasps, yellow jackets, and spiders.  This bird usually hangs out in the top of very tall trees (i.e. tulip poplars).  The tanager has a place in the eco-system as well!

PS:  A "he" is red in color with a yellow, pointed bill whereas, a she is greenish-yellow.  You will probably never see the female because she can hide quite well in the tops of tall trees!

[dgc1961]

I was being sarcastic about shooting the bird. 

[MrJeff]

I was being sarcastic about shooting the bird. 

Impossible to tell from your post. Some people wouldn't think twice about dispatching a perceived nuisance unnecessarily.

[Kathyp]

the birds can eat many, many, bees.  i have had years when the swallows have kept my bee population down significantly.  robins are also a problem.  i have put windsocks around the hives for the robins and that does the trick.  i would surely shoot the swallows if they were not so dang fast.

do what works.

[SurprisingWoman]

It is against the law to shoot any bird that is a native species.  I think that it is probably true all across the US.   I know the Migratory Bird Treaty of 1918 makes it illegal to harm or possess many birds.  You will have to google, I can't post links yet.  grrrr

In Utah I think that means all but European Starlings and House Sparrows.  I don't mind birds eating a few bees.  As much as I pay in birdseed bills every month you can tell I am a bird lover.  I do get extremely annoyed when I see a brown headed cowbird checking out some of my song birds nesting locations though.   Dang things.

[Kathyp]

SSS

[harvey]

Ah the three SSS's,   I truely believe in that pholosaphie,  big word.  I even educated my neighbor after he made some threats (he is a coke head) about the three SSS's  Funny,  he hasn't bothered me or my wife since!

[Irwin]

SSS

:-D  :cheer: I belong to the same club

[Scadsobees]

One bird...I wouldn't worry about it too much if you notice one bird and you have more than one hive.

More than one...I think what Kathy mentioned, windsocks, streamers, shiny twirly things.

A whole flock...well, then you've either got to keep moving the apiary or SSS.  I love birds and wildlife too, but when they become too dependent on the things that you want to keep...

...or just get a few nasty barn cats.

[RZRBCK BEE]

OK, educate me on the 3 sss's. lol

[marksmith]

OK, educate me on the 3 sss's. lol

Shoot, Shovel, Shut up.

[RZRBCK BEE]

Ok that describes my thoughts.

[Shawn]

Never heard of teh three "s's". Quite funny.

[luvin honey]

SSS

Sorry to pick on you, Kathy, but are you saying that some laws in America must be followed but not others?

To the OP: Can you find out more about this bird and its habits? Could be that you could lure it away with food elsewhere, scare it away with whatever scares it...

[Kathyp]

of course you do and i gave you a good opening  :-D

how about this:  if i shoot the wolf that didn't get the travel and dietary memo about staying in Montana and not eating livestock, and i get caught, i will take the legal consequences.

[luvin honey]

I enjoy your good-natured humor. Sometimes people who disagree on forums get nasty, so I'm glad I can rib you a bit :D

One thing I'm learning in life is that it's one thing to read, talk and think about certain problems (guns, immigration or bee-eating birds) and quite another to experience them in one's own life and THEN decide what you think about it.

Very, very glad I have no bird problems, yet! I do have an ant problem, though, and you bet your patootie I have been smashing those suckers without mercy.

[SurprisingWoman]

I have never been a fan of SSS.  And, I am not picking on anyone but I really don't think some laws are made for some and some are made for everyone.

I have a neighborhood cat that is driving me BONKERS.  I can see how SSS might be easier but I just really don't think the Karma would be a good thing for me.  It may seem trivial to dispose of "one" of "these" or "two" of "those" but I can see how each action can impact more than we think.  It's like picking that beautiful flower at the botanical garden.... if everyone did it how many flowers would there be?

Do we really have that right?  No, we don't.

[Kathyp]

guess it depends on what you value most.  i would not shoot something because it annoyed me.  i would shoot something that was destroying my livestock, including my bees.  heck, if i just shot things that annoyed me, there would be a couple of neighbors on the list.

i have a great deal of respect for the wildlife and the land.  i also have a lot invested in what i do.  i am not a city person who hikes out to see the birds and bees on occasion.  i live out here.  i will live and let live......up to a point.

LH, i was told by someone on here that what i have is rough legs?   they ran off my red tails.  they are pretty big.  big enough to carry off adult rabbits and cats.