Removal of part of conifer roosts by thinning may open stands sufficiently to make them unattractive to birds. Harvest of conifer stands should be considered when winter roosts cannot be managed by dispersal of birds. Winter roosts on structures. Starlings that remain in urban areas during the winter may roost overnight on building ledges, window sills and other parts of structures where their noise may be objectionable and their droppings deface buildings. They forage on streets, vacant lots, around trash receptacles and other places where waste food is carelessly scattered.
Starlings also feed at urban and suburban bird feeders.
Sanitation to remove waste food and avoidance of structural designs that encourage roosting are basic community matters to consider. Toxic controls in urban locations are inappropriate. Birds find these sticky compounds disagreeable underfoot and seek alternative roosting sites. There are mechanical devices with projecting wires that can be installed on structural roost sites to discourage birds from landing and perching. Distress calls and scare devices are seldom successful in dispersing starling flocks from structures.