Preparing for Fall Bird Migration: Grackles, Starlings, Sparrows & Where to Find Them

As the seasons change, bird control professionals know that fall migration brings both challenges and opportunities. While spring nesting season often gets the most attention, fall migration can create some of the biggest headaches for businesses, farms, and municipalities. Grackles, starlings, and sparrows are on the move-and knowing where they’ll cause the most problems is key to proactive management.

Why Fall Migration Matters for Bird Control

During migration, birds gather in large numbers to feed and rest. For many businesses, this means:

• Large roosts forming overnight on rooftops, trees, and ledges.

• Droppings causing sanitation and slip hazards around entryways and parking lots.

• Crop damage as birds feed heavily to fuel their journey.

• Structural stress from flocks crowding into attics, vents, and signage.

By understanding bird behavior now, professionals can anticipate client calls before the peak activity hits.

Avitrol Easy Blend

This product is labeled for Pigeons, House Sparrows, Starlings, Blackbirds, Cowbirds, and Grackles. With a permit in the US, it can also be used to treat Crows, Seagulls, Ravens, Magpies, and Vultures. This product is used to permanently discourage flocks of birds from gathering in unwanted places.

👉 Contact your distributor or visit Avitrol.com to learn more.

The Biggest Offenders in Fall Migration

1. Grackles

• Hotspots: The South-Central U.S. (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana) sees the largest grackle roosts during migration. Parking lots, shopping centers, and grocery stores are especially vulnerable.

• Impact: Thousands can gather in one spot, leaving behind mess, noise, and public complaints.

2. Starlings

• Hotspots: Across the Midwest and Eastern U.S., starlings gather in massive flocks known as murmurations. Cities like Chicago, St. Louis, and Columbus are common staging areas.

• Impact: Agricultural operations, particularly grain facilities and feedlots, face high risk as starlings deplete livestock feed and contaminate it with droppings.

3. Sparrows

• Hotspots: Found almost everywhere, sparrows are most problematic in urban and suburban areas with abundant shelter-such as retail signage, warehouses, and transportation hubs.

• Impact: They wedge into business signage and store entrances, leaving droppings that hurt curb appeal and increase cleaning costs.

Proactive Steps for Professionals

Here’s what bird control specialists can do to stay ahead of migration challenges:

1. Schedule Site Assessments Now – Walk properties for signs of roosting activity before flocks arrive.

2. Educate Clients on Timing – Explain that solutions need to be in place before birds settle, not after.

3. Prioritize High-Risk Properties – Focus on retail centers, food facilities, and agricultural sites.

4. Use a Layered Approach – From deterrents and exclusion to regulated control products, no single tool works alone.

Final Takeaway

Fall migration is predictable-but only if you plan ahead. Grackles will be a nuisance across the South-Central states, starlings will blanket the Midwest and East, and sparrows will take advantage of signage and structures in nearly every city. By preparing now, bird control professionals can keep businesses protected, avoid emergency calls, and provide lasting value for their clients.