CA1065609A - Bird trap - Google Patents
Bird trapInfo
- Publication number
- CA1065609A CA1065609A CA281,354A CA281354A CA1065609A CA 1065609 A CA1065609 A CA 1065609A CA 281354 A CA281354 A CA 281354A CA 1065609 A CA1065609 A CA 1065609A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- trap
- birds
- ingress
- baffles
- opening
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
- A01M23/00—Traps for animals
- A01M23/02—Collecting-traps
- A01M23/08—Collecting-traps with approaches permitting entry only
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Pest Control & Pesticides (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Insects & Arthropods (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A bird trap of the free entry type having an open framework covered with mesh and an ingress opening in the top surface of the enclosure. The ingress opening has spaced and stationary members providing ingress ports through which the birds freely drop but which members act to stop the birds leav-ing the trap.
A bird trap of the free entry type having an open framework covered with mesh and an ingress opening in the top surface of the enclosure. The ingress opening has spaced and stationary members providing ingress ports through which the birds freely drop but which members act to stop the birds leav-ing the trap.
Description
:lO~iS609~ :
, .. .
The prevent invention relates to a bird trap wh7ch may be utilized to trap all species of birds. It is particularly well adapted to catch starlings, cowbirds, grackles, and other birds whenever they become a pest or nuisance.
The invention relates to the concept of a ~free-entry~' type trap into which a bird freely moves. In general, the trap comprises a container or enclosure structured almost completely of see through materials having at -- Ieast one ingress opening provided in the top surface and which permits free-entry and which because of its top-mounting and provision of spaced bars or rods, or open grid structure prevents egress. The size and spacing of the parallel bars and grid structure and size of the container or cage are dependent upon the size and kind of birds which are desired to be caught.
The trap of the invention may be of varying size and is preferably constructed of open framing which is closed by "see through" material such as wire mesh or transparent panels to provide a bird imprisoning container or cage. The trap container discussed in the following specification is referred to as being a container or an enclosure and it will be appreciated that these terms cover an enclosing structure which is primarily made oF ~'see through~
material which enables the birds to see into the trap but which imprisons the birds after they have entered the trap through at least one ingress opening.
- 20 In preferred construction, the invention relates to a bird trapping device comprising a substantially rectangular structure of open framing provided with ~see through~ material such as mesh, or the like, of mesh size to prevent the passage of birds therethrough, and wherein the top of the structure is an end view of shallow V-shaped configuration providing upper wind sections extending outwardly and longitudinally of the structure, and with an opening extending longitudinally of the structure provided in the upper side - of each wing section, the openings being provided with spaced-apart parallel bars or a grid which permit easy entry but which prevent exit.
The present trap is of the ~free-entry" type, and into which a bird freely flies or drops through the opening between the bars on the top of the cage and into the confining structure. The bird trap has no tripping devicés or other movable elements which are activated after a bird has entered the trap, and the absence of such devices positively ensures that the birds do not sustain any paint or other injury during the~entrapment. The trap is of a style that - 1- ~ ' ,~, , . ' -. : :. ' .. ' ; : : ' .
: ' . ' - . . ' , . ' , , , .. , :
106S6g)9 , ~
:: bird is simply confined into the area defined by the structure, and is provided with sufficient bait food and water until such time as the birds are :
collected and transported to other habitants or otherwise disposed of in some : ,~
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humane fashion.
Starlings were imported into North America from Europe many years ago, and the North American climate and environ-ment is exceedingly well suitable for starlings and the populat-ion of starlings and related species in North America is explod-ing and has already become a serious problem in some areas of the continent. Starlings are extremely gregarious and beligerent birds and the more desirable bird species such as blue birds and robins and the like are disrupted from their normal routines by an overpopulation of starlings. In many cases, such as with bluebirds, the population of these desirable birds is becoming extremely small for the starlings have occupied all of the nest-ing areas of the bluebird species who by nature are extremely timid. When an overpopulation of starlings exist in a community the more acceptable bird species are driven away and this is ex-tremely distressing to bird lovers and nature fanciers generally.
Cowbirds are another species which are of a beligerent nature, and their habit is to occupy nests which have been pre-pared by other bird species, and the presence of cowbirds also results in a decline in population of the more favourable birds. -Consequently, the overpopulation of these nuisance birds particularly starlings and pigeons is becoming a serious problem, and control of the numbers of these birds in any parti- ;
cular area is exceedingly difficult. Mass extermination of flocks of nuisance birds using chemical solutions is not overly effect-ive and is cruel and destructive of other bird species and raises the wrath of anti-cruelty societiesas witnessed by recent experi-ments in this type of control in the U.S.A. The use of explosive-type devices and other noise-making devices also have had very little effect in persuading bird flocks to move away from criti-cal areas such as airports.
One object of the present invention is to provide a free ingress trap which is particularly designed for the capture .
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and retention of nuisance birds such as starlings and cowbirds - but which has no attraction at all to the more desirable bird species such as robins and in the many months of exhaustive res-earch which has been carried out by the inventor, the present trap performs exceedingly well in the capture of starlings and cowbirds and similar nuisance species and not in one instance has the inventor observed any of the more desirable bird species becoming entrapped in a trap containing an earlier trapped starling or cowbird.
While the invention is well adapted for the humane cap-ture of nuisance birds such as starlings and cowbirds, it is not restricted in the usage and can be equally used to capture the other species of birds from the smallest to the largest.
The capture of birds may be for reasons of population control, or for research purposes including tagging and banding.
The trap is preferably of open frame construction covered with open mesh material such as wire mesh and through which birds cannot pass and which as a result is open and airy and which presents no apparent danger to the birds. The top of the enclos-ure is provided with at least one ingress opening provided withspaced parallel bars or rods between which the birds may freely drop to obtain food bait provided in the trap and which prevent exit of the birds.
The spacing of the parallel bars or rods and the dia-meter of the bars will be dependent upon the actual size of the birds which are to be caught, and the bars will be of such spacing to permit free movement of the birds downwardly therethrough and which will prevent birds flying upwardly therethrough, and the bars will be of such diameter to prevent a bird flying up to the bars, grasping the bars with their feet and "walking" themselves up through the opening between bars.
The opening in a preferred embodiment is provided with spaced parallel bars, but the bars could be replaced with a grid structure of a size that the above criteria are met.
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The trap enclosure may be of any suitable size, but should be of a size to permit entry of a human to permit the placement of bait food and water and cleansing of the structure as required, and also to facilitate the emptying of the structure of birds through suitably provided release doors into transport-able crates or sacks in which the birds are taken to any desired destination.
Basically, the dimensions of the trap enclosure will be determined by the following factors:
1. The density of imprisoned birds~
When a certain "crowding" of birds has been obtained, no further birds will enter the cage and it has been found as a result of many hours of research that once the cage becomes con-gested to a certain degree that additional birds will not then enter the trap. As a result of extensive investigations, it has -been demonstrated that a maximum cage population, that is, when no -additional birds will enter the trap, is reached when approximate-ly a cubic area of ten inch sides per bird is occupied. When - the density of population exceeds this amount, additional birds will not then enter the enclosure.
, .. .
The prevent invention relates to a bird trap wh7ch may be utilized to trap all species of birds. It is particularly well adapted to catch starlings, cowbirds, grackles, and other birds whenever they become a pest or nuisance.
The invention relates to the concept of a ~free-entry~' type trap into which a bird freely moves. In general, the trap comprises a container or enclosure structured almost completely of see through materials having at -- Ieast one ingress opening provided in the top surface and which permits free-entry and which because of its top-mounting and provision of spaced bars or rods, or open grid structure prevents egress. The size and spacing of the parallel bars and grid structure and size of the container or cage are dependent upon the size and kind of birds which are desired to be caught.
The trap of the invention may be of varying size and is preferably constructed of open framing which is closed by "see through" material such as wire mesh or transparent panels to provide a bird imprisoning container or cage. The trap container discussed in the following specification is referred to as being a container or an enclosure and it will be appreciated that these terms cover an enclosing structure which is primarily made oF ~'see through~
material which enables the birds to see into the trap but which imprisons the birds after they have entered the trap through at least one ingress opening.
- 20 In preferred construction, the invention relates to a bird trapping device comprising a substantially rectangular structure of open framing provided with ~see through~ material such as mesh, or the like, of mesh size to prevent the passage of birds therethrough, and wherein the top of the structure is an end view of shallow V-shaped configuration providing upper wind sections extending outwardly and longitudinally of the structure, and with an opening extending longitudinally of the structure provided in the upper side - of each wing section, the openings being provided with spaced-apart parallel bars or a grid which permit easy entry but which prevent exit.
The present trap is of the ~free-entry" type, and into which a bird freely flies or drops through the opening between the bars on the top of the cage and into the confining structure. The bird trap has no tripping devicés or other movable elements which are activated after a bird has entered the trap, and the absence of such devices positively ensures that the birds do not sustain any paint or other injury during the~entrapment. The trap is of a style that - 1- ~ ' ,~, , . ' -. : :. ' .. ' ; : : ' .
: ' . ' - . . ' , . ' , , , .. , :
106S6g)9 , ~
:: bird is simply confined into the area defined by the structure, and is provided with sufficient bait food and water until such time as the birds are :
collected and transported to other habitants or otherwise disposed of in some : ,~
-lA-, ~ ~
:~ - . : - , - - . , . . ~- , . , . ~ : : ~, ,, , :
- . :~ ;
humane fashion.
Starlings were imported into North America from Europe many years ago, and the North American climate and environ-ment is exceedingly well suitable for starlings and the populat-ion of starlings and related species in North America is explod-ing and has already become a serious problem in some areas of the continent. Starlings are extremely gregarious and beligerent birds and the more desirable bird species such as blue birds and robins and the like are disrupted from their normal routines by an overpopulation of starlings. In many cases, such as with bluebirds, the population of these desirable birds is becoming extremely small for the starlings have occupied all of the nest-ing areas of the bluebird species who by nature are extremely timid. When an overpopulation of starlings exist in a community the more acceptable bird species are driven away and this is ex-tremely distressing to bird lovers and nature fanciers generally.
Cowbirds are another species which are of a beligerent nature, and their habit is to occupy nests which have been pre-pared by other bird species, and the presence of cowbirds also results in a decline in population of the more favourable birds. -Consequently, the overpopulation of these nuisance birds particularly starlings and pigeons is becoming a serious problem, and control of the numbers of these birds in any parti- ;
cular area is exceedingly difficult. Mass extermination of flocks of nuisance birds using chemical solutions is not overly effect-ive and is cruel and destructive of other bird species and raises the wrath of anti-cruelty societiesas witnessed by recent experi-ments in this type of control in the U.S.A. The use of explosive-type devices and other noise-making devices also have had very little effect in persuading bird flocks to move away from criti-cal areas such as airports.
One object of the present invention is to provide a free ingress trap which is particularly designed for the capture .
. . - . ~ :~ j, .
: . . . . .
:. , - ~ . . . , . .:
and retention of nuisance birds such as starlings and cowbirds - but which has no attraction at all to the more desirable bird species such as robins and in the many months of exhaustive res-earch which has been carried out by the inventor, the present trap performs exceedingly well in the capture of starlings and cowbirds and similar nuisance species and not in one instance has the inventor observed any of the more desirable bird species becoming entrapped in a trap containing an earlier trapped starling or cowbird.
While the invention is well adapted for the humane cap-ture of nuisance birds such as starlings and cowbirds, it is not restricted in the usage and can be equally used to capture the other species of birds from the smallest to the largest.
The capture of birds may be for reasons of population control, or for research purposes including tagging and banding.
The trap is preferably of open frame construction covered with open mesh material such as wire mesh and through which birds cannot pass and which as a result is open and airy and which presents no apparent danger to the birds. The top of the enclos-ure is provided with at least one ingress opening provided withspaced parallel bars or rods between which the birds may freely drop to obtain food bait provided in the trap and which prevent exit of the birds.
The spacing of the parallel bars or rods and the dia-meter of the bars will be dependent upon the actual size of the birds which are to be caught, and the bars will be of such spacing to permit free movement of the birds downwardly therethrough and which will prevent birds flying upwardly therethrough, and the bars will be of such diameter to prevent a bird flying up to the bars, grasping the bars with their feet and "walking" themselves up through the opening between bars.
The opening in a preferred embodiment is provided with spaced parallel bars, but the bars could be replaced with a grid structure of a size that the above criteria are met.
.. , . ., : ,, , :
,. . : , :
The trap enclosure may be of any suitable size, but should be of a size to permit entry of a human to permit the placement of bait food and water and cleansing of the structure as required, and also to facilitate the emptying of the structure of birds through suitably provided release doors into transport-able crates or sacks in which the birds are taken to any desired destination.
Basically, the dimensions of the trap enclosure will be determined by the following factors:
1. The density of imprisoned birds~
When a certain "crowding" of birds has been obtained, no further birds will enter the cage and it has been found as a result of many hours of research that once the cage becomes con-gested to a certain degree that additional birds will not then enter the trap. As a result of extensive investigations, it has -been demonstrated that a maximum cage population, that is, when no -additional birds will enter the trap, is reached when approximate-ly a cubic area of ten inch sides per bird is occupied. When - the density of population exceeds this amount, additional birds will not then enter the enclosure.
2. The desired size of the cage will also vary accord-ing to the location, and whether the bird trap is to be used on the top of a building, or used in open fields or orchards or parks, or in crowded city areas.
3. The size of the bird colony.
The density of the bird population in a certain area will also determine the size of the cage, because preference in certain areas is dependent upon roosting, feeding and nesting preferences of the birds in that area, and in areas of fairly large bird density, a larger cage is preferred over two small cages.
The area of research resulting in the present inventive - concept has the primary goal of controlling the explosive starling, ,. , . .: .
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~ grackles and cowbird populations, and it is stressed that in - field trials on not even a single occasion has any other bird come near the cage to associate or even feed in the cage contain-ing starlings and cowbirds, even though it is fairly well known that the reverse is true and that starling and cowbirds being ~.
extremely gregarious will freely move into flocks of birds of - other species.
The density of the bird population in a certain area will also determine the size of the cage, because preference in certain areas is dependent upon roosting, feeding and nesting preferences of the birds in that area, and in areas of fairly large bird density, a larger cage is preferred over two small cages.
The area of research resulting in the present inventive - concept has the primary goal of controlling the explosive starling, ,. , . .: .
,, , ~ , , - ~gii5~
~ grackles and cowbird populations, and it is stressed that in - field trials on not even a single occasion has any other bird come near the cage to associate or even feed in the cage contain-ing starlings and cowbirds, even though it is fairly well known that the reverse is true and that starling and cowbirds being ~.
extremely gregarious will freely move into flocks of birds of - other species.
4. The size of the birds which it is desired to trap, The invention relates not only to a trap cage or hous-ing but it also relates to a basic system of trapping wherebybirds are trapped in a humane way without pain or other damage to the birds.
Specifically, then, the present invention relates to a trap for birds comprising a structure of open frame construction covered with "see-through" material, the structure having a top and at least one elongated ingress opening provided in the top, ;
and spaced stationary members dividing the ingress opening into a plurality of ingress ports, the ingress ports permitting entry of birds into the trap, and the spacing of the stationary members being pre-determined to prevent exit of birds of a particular size.
In a preferred construction the invention specifically relates to a trap for birds comprising a container of "see-through"
material having a top portion which, in end view, is of shallow V-configuration having upper wing sections extending outwardly and longitudinally of the container, and a longitudinal ingress opening provided in the top surface of each of the wing sections;
the ingress openings having a plurality of spaced and parallel bars or grid structure which permit free ingress and prevent -egress.
The invention will now be specifically described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which - illustrate a specific non-limiting example, and wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a bird trap in accordance with the ~ ~5~
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present inventive concept in perspective view;
Figure 2 illustrates the trap as shown in Figure 1 in end view;
Figure 3 illustrates suitable means for removing the birds from the trap enclosure so that the birds can then be suit- ; . -ably moved to other locations; ;
Figure 4 is a section taken along line 4-4 of Figure l;
and Figure 5 is a section taken along line 5-5 of Figure l;
and : Figure 6 is a top view of the ingress opening illus-trating two opening embodiments.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, the basic cage ` ~ -enclosure consists of a generally rectangular lower portion shown :.
by numeral 2 in Figure 1, and consisting of suitable framing mem- ~
bers 4 providing an open entrapment area which is covered by wire ~. .
or the like mesh material 6 having mesh size openings smaller .
than the smallest openings which the birds for which the trap is .:~
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intended to catch can pass. The framing members 4 may be of wood or suitable light-weight metal construction such as aluminum, ; and high impact plastic framing members could also be employed if desired. The mesh material may be of wire or again may be of suitable plastics material such as nylon or other suitable strand material.
The top area of the structure and which is shown by numeral 8 in the drawings is of shallow V-shaped configuration ;
in end view, providing upper wing sections 10 and 12 which ex-tend outwardly and longitudinally of the structure of the side walls of the enclosure in the preferred manner as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
On the top surface of each of the wing sections 10 and 12 are longitudinally extending ingress openings 14 and 16 res-pectively which are provided with parallel spaced bars 18.
These ingress openings 14 and 16 are shown in Figure 1 and for purposes of illustration only the bars are somewhat farther ; apart than they will be in actual use, and the proper spacing - and positioning of the bars is shown in Figure 6.
The outside edge of the ingress openln~s 14, 16 may be prov ded with a downwardly extending lip or '~bl~" 19 (see Fig-ure ~ to conceal the opening from birds sitting interiorly of the cage on the bottoms of the wing sections.
In a preferred construction, the top of the structure may also be provided with a central ingress opening 20 which is also provided with transversely extending bars 18 as is the case of ingress openings 14 and 16 provided in the wing sections 10 and 12.
The whole of the structure is of generally open frame 30 construction, and is entirely covered with the mesh material with the exception of the ingress openings and it is through these openings that the birds are enticed to fly or drop in their efforts to achieve the bait food provided in the trap itself.
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The baitselected will of course depend upon the species of birds to be trapped. Grain feeds such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, corn, either whole or ground, can be used to attract seed and grain-eating birds. In the case of robins, worms will be used, and in other cases, suet, animal fats, and commercially available feed as well as fresh and dried fruit and vegetables or the like. Live animals such as small rodents and fish can be used to lureeagles and falcons to the trap.
- In use, the trap is simply assembled in Figure 1, and suitable bait food is positioned in the trap and the trap is left - unattended.
Birds, particularly starling~ cowbirds, grackles and pigeons being gregarious and inquisitive, then have no hesitation about dropping down through the ingress openings to achieve the bait placed in the trap, and the spacing of the bars in the open-ings then prevent exit of the birds through the openings that they originally entered.
It has been found that when the spacing between bars is too great, or the bars are of too great a diameter, that birds are able to fly to the roof of the structure and grasping the bars with their feet are able to pull themselves up through the openings. However, the inventor has also discovered that this -~
procedure is not possible for starlings or corbirds when the retaining bars are of a large or small diameter because the feet of these birds are unable to obtain proper purchase on such bars to enable the birds to lift themselves up through the openings.
Of course, the spacing of the bars is important for the bars must be of such spacing that the birds freely drop down through the openings but must be close enough to prevent the birds from simply flying directly out of the enclosure.
When used as a trap to imprison starlings the spaced bars 18 are positioned from about 1-1/2" to about 2" apart and with this spacing the starlings freely drop through the openings ~' . i . . ~. . ... : ~ . .
to gain access to the bait but then are unable to fly or move upwardly through the bars to gain freedom.
Using a trap of the present invention, the inventor living in Nova Scotia has established that the trap assembly is extremely efficient in the trapping of starlings and cowbirds and nuisance birds of these varieties, and in a few weeks over 1,000 starlings have been trapped.
After the birds are entrapped in the enclosure, a col-lection of the birds is simply done by positioning collection sacks or containers exteriorly of release doors 22, and the birds will move into these sacks or containers as a result eithex of a person entering the enclosure through a suitable entrance door 24 - or in some circumstances it is necessary simply for the person to walk around the enclosure at a close distance and the birds will then seek escape through the release doors 22 and then be captured by the positioned containers or sacks.
One method of collecting the birds from the trap is shown in Figures 2 and 3, and in this embodiment an elbow ar-rangement 26 is positioned in the access door opening, and a -- 20 transparent or mesh sack or bag 28 is secured to the outer end of - the elbow in the manner shown in Figures 2 and 3. By entering the enclosure or by simply walking-around the enclosure, a person causes the birds to seek escape from the enclosure and these birds simply follow the elbow down into the sacks into which they can be collected for transport to other areas. Of course, other means for moving the birds into transportable containers is pos-sible, and in place of the sacks and elbow arrangement as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a suitable open mesh crate could simply be positioned exteriorly of the release doors 22 and the doors opened and the birds then forced into the transportable open mesh crate for transport elsewhere.
Figure 6 is a top view of an ingress opening 14, 16, or 20 illustrating two embodiments. To the left in Figure 6 , .: ~, ., . , ~. : . , .
) p(j` c ~ ( ,aced and p~rallel bars 1~ are shown, and to the right a crossed grid arrangement 30 is illustrated. V~hile either arrangement is sa,isfactory, the embodiment using the spaced parallel bars 18 is preferred.
As a result of extensive observation the applicant has determined ~~
that the ef,ectiveness of the trap is based upon the following:
a) The feeding habits of birds including the sound of birds when food is located or when eating.
b) The manner and flight path of birds when landing.
c) The manner and flight paths of birds in taking off from a stationary position and in particular that having regard to the size, weight and design of the bird it requires a certain take-off distance to obtain a specified elevation at a given distance. ~ -If the birds are capable of a vertical take-off from a stationary ~ -position, such as the smaller birds, then the size of the grid st; ucture or opening which allows ingress, prevents egress of the bird because of the outstretched wings of the bird in flight.
While it is preferred that the trap structure be covered with an open mesh material to provide airiness to the enclosure, it will be appreciated - that other material such as transparent plastic material such as acrylic or 20 even glass could be used in the enclosure without departing from the scope of the prevent invention.
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6~
., , SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE
A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 7 illustrates in perspective view a further ~
embodiment of the trap according to the present invention; , Figure 8 illustrates in perspective view a portion of an ingress opening provided centrally and longitudinally in the top surface of the structure as shown in Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of `
Figure 8.
The invention of this embodiment provides a trap for ~ ;
birds and small animals comprising a container or structure of "see-through" material and at least one ingress opening in the `
top of the container and stationary members in the form of down- '-- -wardly extending transverse baffles provided in the ingress open- -~
ing which permit free entry and prevent exit.
; More specifically, the trap of this embodiment comprises the structure as above recited wherein the downwardly extending baffles comprise longitudinal baffles extending alongside of the ingress opening and spaced transverse baffles providing a series of ingress ports open at the top and bottom.
The trap housing shown in Figure 7 is similar in con-struction and materials to that shown in Figure 1 and basically differs only in design. With the structure as shown in Figure 7, however, it is preferred that only a central longitudinal ingress opening be provided in the same manner as the central ingress opening 20 as shown in Figure 1.
Figures 8 and 9 show an ingress opening of somewhat different arrangement to that shown in Figures 1, 4, 5 and 6, and in the embodiment of Figures 8 and 9 the ingress opening 20' is provided with downwardly extending longitudinal 32 and transverse 34 baffles providing a series of ingress ports 36 open at top and bottom.
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The baffles 32 and 34 which are of opaque material act : to obstruct the view of the ingress ports by birds held within the trap from most positions within the trap, and it has been :` found that a trap utilizing the ingress opening structure of Figures 8 and 9 can be used to trap small animals such as squirrels, ~ weasels, and small predators in addition to birds.
The size and spacing of the baffles 32 and 34 will be dependent upon the size and type of the bird or animal to be trapped. In the case of starlings, grackles, cowbirds and the like however the baffles 32 can suitably be spaced apart a dis-tance of about 8 - 9" and the baffles 34 can suitably be spaced apart a distance providing about a 2" opening therebetween.
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Specifically, then, the present invention relates to a trap for birds comprising a structure of open frame construction covered with "see-through" material, the structure having a top and at least one elongated ingress opening provided in the top, ;
and spaced stationary members dividing the ingress opening into a plurality of ingress ports, the ingress ports permitting entry of birds into the trap, and the spacing of the stationary members being pre-determined to prevent exit of birds of a particular size.
In a preferred construction the invention specifically relates to a trap for birds comprising a container of "see-through"
material having a top portion which, in end view, is of shallow V-configuration having upper wing sections extending outwardly and longitudinally of the container, and a longitudinal ingress opening provided in the top surface of each of the wing sections;
the ingress openings having a plurality of spaced and parallel bars or grid structure which permit free ingress and prevent -egress.
The invention will now be specifically described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which - illustrate a specific non-limiting example, and wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a bird trap in accordance with the ~ ~5~
,. ~ .
~ 5~
present inventive concept in perspective view;
Figure 2 illustrates the trap as shown in Figure 1 in end view;
Figure 3 illustrates suitable means for removing the birds from the trap enclosure so that the birds can then be suit- ; . -ably moved to other locations; ;
Figure 4 is a section taken along line 4-4 of Figure l;
and Figure 5 is a section taken along line 5-5 of Figure l;
and : Figure 6 is a top view of the ingress opening illus-trating two opening embodiments.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, the basic cage ` ~ -enclosure consists of a generally rectangular lower portion shown :.
by numeral 2 in Figure 1, and consisting of suitable framing mem- ~
bers 4 providing an open entrapment area which is covered by wire ~. .
or the like mesh material 6 having mesh size openings smaller .
than the smallest openings which the birds for which the trap is .:~
"'" ~.
::
~ `
intended to catch can pass. The framing members 4 may be of wood or suitable light-weight metal construction such as aluminum, ; and high impact plastic framing members could also be employed if desired. The mesh material may be of wire or again may be of suitable plastics material such as nylon or other suitable strand material.
The top area of the structure and which is shown by numeral 8 in the drawings is of shallow V-shaped configuration ;
in end view, providing upper wing sections 10 and 12 which ex-tend outwardly and longitudinally of the structure of the side walls of the enclosure in the preferred manner as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
On the top surface of each of the wing sections 10 and 12 are longitudinally extending ingress openings 14 and 16 res-pectively which are provided with parallel spaced bars 18.
These ingress openings 14 and 16 are shown in Figure 1 and for purposes of illustration only the bars are somewhat farther ; apart than they will be in actual use, and the proper spacing - and positioning of the bars is shown in Figure 6.
The outside edge of the ingress openln~s 14, 16 may be prov ded with a downwardly extending lip or '~bl~" 19 (see Fig-ure ~ to conceal the opening from birds sitting interiorly of the cage on the bottoms of the wing sections.
In a preferred construction, the top of the structure may also be provided with a central ingress opening 20 which is also provided with transversely extending bars 18 as is the case of ingress openings 14 and 16 provided in the wing sections 10 and 12.
The whole of the structure is of generally open frame 30 construction, and is entirely covered with the mesh material with the exception of the ingress openings and it is through these openings that the birds are enticed to fly or drop in their efforts to achieve the bait food provided in the trap itself.
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The baitselected will of course depend upon the species of birds to be trapped. Grain feeds such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, corn, either whole or ground, can be used to attract seed and grain-eating birds. In the case of robins, worms will be used, and in other cases, suet, animal fats, and commercially available feed as well as fresh and dried fruit and vegetables or the like. Live animals such as small rodents and fish can be used to lureeagles and falcons to the trap.
- In use, the trap is simply assembled in Figure 1, and suitable bait food is positioned in the trap and the trap is left - unattended.
Birds, particularly starling~ cowbirds, grackles and pigeons being gregarious and inquisitive, then have no hesitation about dropping down through the ingress openings to achieve the bait placed in the trap, and the spacing of the bars in the open-ings then prevent exit of the birds through the openings that they originally entered.
It has been found that when the spacing between bars is too great, or the bars are of too great a diameter, that birds are able to fly to the roof of the structure and grasping the bars with their feet are able to pull themselves up through the openings. However, the inventor has also discovered that this -~
procedure is not possible for starlings or corbirds when the retaining bars are of a large or small diameter because the feet of these birds are unable to obtain proper purchase on such bars to enable the birds to lift themselves up through the openings.
Of course, the spacing of the bars is important for the bars must be of such spacing that the birds freely drop down through the openings but must be close enough to prevent the birds from simply flying directly out of the enclosure.
When used as a trap to imprison starlings the spaced bars 18 are positioned from about 1-1/2" to about 2" apart and with this spacing the starlings freely drop through the openings ~' . i . . ~. . ... : ~ . .
to gain access to the bait but then are unable to fly or move upwardly through the bars to gain freedom.
Using a trap of the present invention, the inventor living in Nova Scotia has established that the trap assembly is extremely efficient in the trapping of starlings and cowbirds and nuisance birds of these varieties, and in a few weeks over 1,000 starlings have been trapped.
After the birds are entrapped in the enclosure, a col-lection of the birds is simply done by positioning collection sacks or containers exteriorly of release doors 22, and the birds will move into these sacks or containers as a result eithex of a person entering the enclosure through a suitable entrance door 24 - or in some circumstances it is necessary simply for the person to walk around the enclosure at a close distance and the birds will then seek escape through the release doors 22 and then be captured by the positioned containers or sacks.
One method of collecting the birds from the trap is shown in Figures 2 and 3, and in this embodiment an elbow ar-rangement 26 is positioned in the access door opening, and a -- 20 transparent or mesh sack or bag 28 is secured to the outer end of - the elbow in the manner shown in Figures 2 and 3. By entering the enclosure or by simply walking-around the enclosure, a person causes the birds to seek escape from the enclosure and these birds simply follow the elbow down into the sacks into which they can be collected for transport to other areas. Of course, other means for moving the birds into transportable containers is pos-sible, and in place of the sacks and elbow arrangement as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a suitable open mesh crate could simply be positioned exteriorly of the release doors 22 and the doors opened and the birds then forced into the transportable open mesh crate for transport elsewhere.
Figure 6 is a top view of an ingress opening 14, 16, or 20 illustrating two embodiments. To the left in Figure 6 , .: ~, ., . , ~. : . , .
) p(j` c ~ ( ,aced and p~rallel bars 1~ are shown, and to the right a crossed grid arrangement 30 is illustrated. V~hile either arrangement is sa,isfactory, the embodiment using the spaced parallel bars 18 is preferred.
As a result of extensive observation the applicant has determined ~~
that the ef,ectiveness of the trap is based upon the following:
a) The feeding habits of birds including the sound of birds when food is located or when eating.
b) The manner and flight path of birds when landing.
c) The manner and flight paths of birds in taking off from a stationary position and in particular that having regard to the size, weight and design of the bird it requires a certain take-off distance to obtain a specified elevation at a given distance. ~ -If the birds are capable of a vertical take-off from a stationary ~ -position, such as the smaller birds, then the size of the grid st; ucture or opening which allows ingress, prevents egress of the bird because of the outstretched wings of the bird in flight.
While it is preferred that the trap structure be covered with an open mesh material to provide airiness to the enclosure, it will be appreciated - that other material such as transparent plastic material such as acrylic or 20 even glass could be used in the enclosure without departing from the scope of the prevent invention.
.- ., .
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:' . " ' ' ' : ' " ,' '' ' . " '' ' . .. ' ' . . . " ~ ' . " ' .', ' . .
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6~
., , SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE
A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 7 illustrates in perspective view a further ~
embodiment of the trap according to the present invention; , Figure 8 illustrates in perspective view a portion of an ingress opening provided centrally and longitudinally in the top surface of the structure as shown in Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of `
Figure 8.
The invention of this embodiment provides a trap for ~ ;
birds and small animals comprising a container or structure of "see-through" material and at least one ingress opening in the `
top of the container and stationary members in the form of down- '-- -wardly extending transverse baffles provided in the ingress open- -~
ing which permit free entry and prevent exit.
; More specifically, the trap of this embodiment comprises the structure as above recited wherein the downwardly extending baffles comprise longitudinal baffles extending alongside of the ingress opening and spaced transverse baffles providing a series of ingress ports open at the top and bottom.
The trap housing shown in Figure 7 is similar in con-struction and materials to that shown in Figure 1 and basically differs only in design. With the structure as shown in Figure 7, however, it is preferred that only a central longitudinal ingress opening be provided in the same manner as the central ingress opening 20 as shown in Figure 1.
Figures 8 and 9 show an ingress opening of somewhat different arrangement to that shown in Figures 1, 4, 5 and 6, and in the embodiment of Figures 8 and 9 the ingress opening 20' is provided with downwardly extending longitudinal 32 and transverse 34 baffles providing a series of ingress ports 36 open at top and bottom.
'-:
The baffles 32 and 34 which are of opaque material act : to obstruct the view of the ingress ports by birds held within the trap from most positions within the trap, and it has been :` found that a trap utilizing the ingress opening structure of Figures 8 and 9 can be used to trap small animals such as squirrels, ~ weasels, and small predators in addition to birds.
The size and spacing of the baffles 32 and 34 will be dependent upon the size and type of the bird or animal to be trapped. In the case of starlings, grackles, cowbirds and the like however the baffles 32 can suitably be spaced apart a dis-tance of about 8 - 9" and the baffles 34 can suitably be spaced apart a distance providing about a 2" opening therebetween.
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Claims (18)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A trap for birds comprising a structure of open frame construction covered with "see-through" material, the struc-ture having a top and at least one elongated ingress opening provided in the top, and spaced stationary members dividing the ingress opening into a plurality of ingress ports, the ingress ports permitting entry of birds into the trap, and the spacing of the stationary members being pre-determined to prevent exit of birds of a particular size.
2. A trap according to claim 1, the spaced stationary members being selected from the group consisting of a grid struc-ture and spaced parallel bars.
3. A trap according to claim 1, including baffles extending along sides of the ingress opening and which baffles extend a distance downwardly into the structure.
4. A trap for birds according to claim 1, wherein the top is of shallow V-configuration having upper wing sections extending outwardly along sides of the container, and an elongated ingress opening in the top of each of the wing sections.
5. A trap for birds according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the "see-through" material is open mesh material which covers the frame construction except over the ingress opening.
6. A trap according to claim 4, including baffles extending along at least the outer sides of the elongated ingress openings, the baffles extending a distance downwardly into the structure.
7. A trap according to claim 1, including a door per-mitting placement of bait food and water in the structure.
8. A trap according to claim 4, including a central elongated ingress opening positioned between the ingress open-ings provided in the wing sections.
9. A trap according to claim 8, including baffles extending along sides of the central elongated ingress opening, the baffles projecting a distance downwardly into the structure.
10. A trap according to claim 4, including a release door provided in the end of at least one wing section to permit movement of birds from the trap into a transport container.
11. A trap according to claim 1 or 3, and adapted to trap starlings and birds of similar size, the stationary members being parallel bars which are spaced apart about 1-1/2" to about 2".
12. A trap for birds comprising a structure of open frame construction covered with open mesh material, the con-tainer having a top surface of shallow V-configuration having upper wing sections extending outwardly along opposite sides of the container, and an elongated ingress opening in the top surface of each wing section, and a central elongated ingress opening between the ingress openings in the wing sections, the ingress openings being divided into a number of ingress ports by spaced stationary members, and downwardly projecting baffles along the sides of the central ingress opening and along at least the outer sides of the ingress openings in the wing sections, the baffles projecting downwardly a distance into the container structure.
13. A trap according to claim 12, the spaced stationary members being selected from the group consisting of a grid struc-ture and spaced parallel bars.
CLAIMS SUPPORTED BY THE SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE
CLAIMS SUPPORTED BY THE SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE
14. A trap for birds comprising a structure of open frame construction covered with "see-through" material, the structure having a top and at least one elongated ingress open-ing provided in the top, and spaced stationary members in the form of spaced and parallel downwardly extending transverse baffles dividing the ingress opening into a plurality of ingress ports, the ingress ports permitting entry of birds into the trap, and the spacing of the stationary members being pre-determined to prevent exit of birds of a particular size.
15. A trap according to claim 14, wherein the "see-through" material is open mesh material which covers the trap except over the ingress opening.
16. A trap according to claim 14, including baffles extending longitudinally along sides of the elongated ingress opening, the transverse and longitudinally extending baffles providing the ingress ports.
17. A trap according to claim 16, wherein the longi-tudinally extending baffles are spaced apart a distance of about 8 - 9" and the transverse baffles are spaced apart a distance of about 2".
18. A trap for birds comprising a structure of open frame construction covered with "see-through" material, the struc-ture having a top and at least one rectangular elongated in-gress opening having sides and ends provided in the top, and downwardly extending longitudinal baffles along the sides of the egress opening, and spaced parallel downwardly extending transverse baffles extending between the longitudinal baffles dividing the ingress opening into a plurality of ingress ports,
18. A trap for birds comprising a structure of open frame construction covered with "see-through" material, the struc-ture having a top and at least one rectangular elongated in-gress opening having sides and ends provided in the top, and downwardly extending longitudinal baffles along the sides of the egress opening, and spaced parallel downwardly extending transverse baffles extending between the longitudinal baffles dividing the ingress opening into a plurality of ingress ports,
Claim 18 - continued the ingress ports permitting entry of birds into the trap and the spacing of the transverse baffles being pre-determined to prevent exit of birds of a particular size.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA281,354A CA1065609A (en) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-06-24 | Bird trap |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA281,354A CA1065609A (en) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-06-24 | Bird trap |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1065609A true CA1065609A (en) | 1979-11-06 |
Family
ID=4108974
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA281,354A Expired CA1065609A (en) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-06-24 | Bird trap |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1065609A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4829704A (en) * | 1987-12-28 | 1989-05-16 | Richardson Josephine M | Animal trap |
| FR2651962A1 (en) * | 1989-09-20 | 1991-03-22 | Radivoje Petrovic | CONSTRUCTION TO CAPTURE GENEROUS BIRDS. |
-
1977
- 1977-06-24 CA CA281,354A patent/CA1065609A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4829704A (en) * | 1987-12-28 | 1989-05-16 | Richardson Josephine M | Animal trap |
| FR2651962A1 (en) * | 1989-09-20 | 1991-03-22 | Radivoje Petrovic | CONSTRUCTION TO CAPTURE GENEROUS BIRDS. |
| WO1991003932A1 (en) * | 1989-09-20 | 1991-04-04 | Radivoje Petrovic | Construction for capturing birds which cause a disturbance |
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