Thus far, I've only read about the repeating funnel trap and supposedly how it works, but I wasn't quite sure where to set it it. Not only that, I so far have just assumed that pieces of bread crumbs were enough as bait for the birds.
Placement of the Homemade Bird Trap on the Ground
In my first trial, I put the homemade bird trap on the ground. That's because I always see birds (sparrows) hop and congregate on the ground. My guess was they were looking for food because they'd peck on the ground occasionally.
So I placed the homemade bird trap in a shady spot on the ground and put bread crumbs for bait. I forgot about it and went out in the afternoon. When I came back, I checked for the bird trap and was surprised.
The bird trap was no longer on its spot and was inverted. There must have been an activity of some sort that shook and tumbled the cage. No, there was no trapped bird inside. I have a dog and I suspected that a bird managed to get in the homemade bird trap. The dog might have been alerted by the bird's flapping and "attacked" the cage. After much struggle, the bird found a way out.
Setting the Homemade Bird Trap on an Elevated Platform
This is one of the tips I read on the internet. For me, it seems an ideal solution, considering I have a dog always on the lookout for small animals.
A perfect spot I thought would be on top of the garden arbor. We have a garden arbor where we hang hanging plant baskets.
We grow different types of bougainvilleas in many of these hanging plant baskets.
Because the homemade bird trap will be placed on top of the garden arbor, it needs to have a landing board for the birds. The landing board also holds the scattered bread crumbs bait.
I was a bit skeptical but still positioned the homemade bird trap and the landing board just the same. After all, I've not caught anything just yet.
First Trapped Birds in the Cage
The following morning, there was much flapping of wings inside the homemade bird trap. Imagine my surprise when the homemade bird trap caught not one, but two birds! These are the Yellow-Vented Bulbuls (Pycnonotus goiavier). These birds are known locally as "Luklak". And they are named as such for the sound that they make.
My son climbed up the ladder to check out the birds which you can see inside the cage. That is an 8-foot aluminum ladder he's using to reach the homemade bird trap. My son seemed fascinated by the sight and the possibility of being able to trap birds this way.
When to Check the Homemade Bird Trap
Check the trap at least twice a day. If the trap is easily viewed from a vantage point, then so much the better. Trapped birds may send out distress signals that alert other birds of the trap. Although the trap is capable of containing up to five birds (my estimate), I retrieve the trapped birds when I see them.
Later, DH decided to climb up the ladder as well. Here she is as she's climbing up, viewed from a bedroom window.
You can see the yellow color of the birds' belly or bottom in the above photo.
The landing board used in this setup is a used illustration board. A board cut up from a corrugated carton box would work as well. But these materials have a tendency to sag over time especially if the get wet. A painted piece of plywood may be a better alternative.
Here is the Pycnonotus goiavier pair squeezing in a corner of the homemade bird trap.
You can see the details of the homemade bird trap accessories: the funnel and the adjustable guard rail.
Well, apparently there is another one who wants to get a piece of the action. The dog has taken a keen interest and is intently watching (salivating?) at the flapping trapped birds in the homemade bird trap. Thank goodness for the elevated platform.
Other articles in this series (click on the links below:)
Homemade Bird Trap - Build Plans & How it Works
Homemade Bird Trap - Materials and Tools
Homemade Bird Trap - Building the Housing
Homemade Bird Trap - Making the Funnels
Homemade Bird Trap - Making the Guard Rails
Homemade Bird Trap - Making the Access Hole
Homemade Bird Trap - Making the Door and Lock
Homemade Bird Trap - Making the Carrying Handle and Restraints
Homemade Bird Trap - Setting the Trap (this article)
Homemade Bird Trap - Painting the Cage
Homemade Bird Trap - Making a Perch for the Cage
Homemade Bird Trap - Pre-Baiting Sparrows
Homemade Bird Trap - Retrieving Trapped Birds
Homemade Bird Trap - Disposing Trapped Sparrows
Sparrow Trap by Day, Rat Trap by Night
Damage Caused by Sparrows
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