After a successful three-month mission, Master Falconers in downtown Denver have managed to rid the area of a large murder of crows by using Harris’s Hawks and Peregrine Falcons. The falcons, under the guidance of Bob Probst and Will McDonough, have effectively scared off the crows that were causing a nuisance in the city. These birds of prey were contracted by building owners and the federal government to clear out the pesky birds from properties and plazas. The falcons hunt in groups, targeting prey such as rabbits, rats, and medium-sized birds, effectively chasing the crows away.
The mission to eliminate the crows was necessary as they were leaving droppings on sidewalks and causing disturbances with their constant cawing. The falcons’ presence has delighted commuters but was a huge nuisance to building owners. Despite the success, the city biologists sympathize with the crows but cannot allow hunting in city parks.
Bob Probst and his team are dedicated to bird abatement and have been using falcons for this purpose during the pandemic. The season marked the first time the crows had overstayed their welcome in downtown Denver. With the falcons’ roosting and hunting habits, they were able to effectively rid the area of the unwanted nuisance birds. The presence of these majestic birds of prey has captivated onlookers in the urban jungle of Denver.
