8 Common Birds You Never Want To See Flying Near Your Garden

Birds are generally a delight to find visiting your garden. Not only do they add visual beauty and charming songs — some even help out by eating harmful bugs. But for every bird that can benefit your yard or garden by snacking on pests and pollinating your plants, some common species, like starlings and sparrows, can become unwelcome visitors when they start feeding on your crops.

From eating and damaging fruit to pulling up seedlings, many birds, especially those that travel in large flocks, can make a mess of your garden. It's worth noting that some crops like fruits and grains are more vulnerable than others, so what you're growing could impact how concerned you need to be about these birds visiting. 

It can be tricky to deter some species while still letting others stop by, and the bird that raids your berry bushes may also help by eating insects elsewhere in the yard. But keeping an eye on who is flying nearby can help you decide if you need to put up netting or take other measures to keep birds from pecking at your garden plants.

Invasive European starlings can make for a stunning sight thanks to their gorgeous murmurations. However, you won't want to see this spectacle settling into your garden or orchard. That's because not only do these birds, which often travel in large flocks, pull up corn and other seedlings, but they can also completely decimate orchards, snacking on everything from apples to grapes. If they start roosting in your trees, their droppings can also damage your fruit.

The common house sparrow is another invasive species that can make a total mess of your garden. Not only do they chase away or even kill native birds, but they also love nibbling on small fruits and berries from your garden beds. And with how quickly they can reproduce, you could quickly end up with an entire extended family living in and around your yard.

Common grackles are big fans of fruit and will go after everything from berries and apples to melons and tomatoes. And because they tend to travel in large flocks, they can do an impressive amount of damage in a short period of time. On the "bright side", you'll certainly know when they're around thanks to the amount of noise they make.

If Canada geese decide to move into your garden and yard, you could be in for a whole host of problems. They can easily trample your crops thanks to their large size. They're also happy to nibble on lawns, corn seedlings, and other plants, while leaving messy droppings everywhere they go. Because geese can be aggressive and territorial, keeping them away from areas you want to protect could be easier than addressing the issue once a flock settles in.

As beautiful as they are, you may find that red-winged blackbirds (and other blackbird species) aren't always the treat you might have expected in the garden. Depending on the crop, these birds can cause substantial damage. They're especially known for eating things like corn and rice due to their love of grains. Additionally, they consume berries and other small fruits and are also known for damaging sunflower crops. 

Crows are amazing and intelligent birds, and it's understandable to want to befriend them. But they can also destroy months of work in the garden depending on what you're growing. They're known for poking holes in melons and helping themselves to corn, fruits, and nuts. On the other hand, they also enjoy feasting on pesky insects and even small rodents. The problem is when this common bird's foraging outweighs those benefits.

House finches are adorable, but you likely don't want them hanging around your garden if you're growing fruit. They're known for damaging everything from grapes to apples and will sometimes even remove buds from trees. They also eat seeds, which can make seed-heavy gardens and sunflowers tempting targets. Some people have also reported them damaging ornamental plants like sedum (via Facebook).

While you won't see these common birds flying overhead, if you or nearby neighbors have free-range chickens, you'll want to protect your garden. While they can be great for keeping unwanted bugs out, they are notorious for nibbling on everything from greens to berries. They'll also scarf down any seeds or young seedlings you might be trying to grow. So if you share your yard with these backyard birds, be sure to put up fencing to protect your gardens.