A town in the U.S. is using lasers to drive away thousands of crows that have been causing chaos in the area.
For many years, Sunnyvale, a town in Northern California’s Silicon Valley, has experienced a strange phenomenon, becoming a hotspot for crows.
American town uses lasers to chase away 1,000 crows
Thousands of crows have been flying back and forth in the town, filling the streets with their calls, wreaking havoc every night, and only temporarily disappearing with the sunrise. They perch densely, darkening rooftops, often taking flight and crashing into anyone who passes by.
Many residents are afraid to leave their homes; whenever they go outside, they must use umbrellas to shield themselves from the bothersome crows. The crows often scavenge for food in the town, rummaging through trash cans and creating messes in public spaces.
These crows are not easily scared of humans; they are large and have truly become a nuisance to the residents as their flocking behavior intensifies. They nest on utility poles, causing a series of wire contact incidents.
Crows causing trouble for local residents
Local residents have repeatedly attempted to scare away the flock of crows, but all efforts have only been temporary.
Recently, in a science-based plan, three local residents have been tasked with monitoring the crows at night. They will shine lasers for about an hour and play sounds aimed at disorienting the crows and preventing them from nesting.
Larry Klein, the town’s leader, explained that: “It’s important to shine the lights at night to disturb the birds, preventing them from nesting in the area. The cost of using laser lights is also cheaper than hiring a falconry team to combat the crows, and the effectiveness lasts longer.”
On the first day of testing, the crows were slightly startled, but it will take more time to see if this method proves effective.
Previously, local residents had raised hawks and falcons to intimidate the crows, hoping they wouldn’t return, but this method was not sustainable. Other cities in the U.S., such as Rochester, New York, have experimented with this technique, relocating up to 30,000 crows in 2018.
However, wildlife experts have warned that the laser plan may not be strong enough to make the crows leave the town permanently.
