Kereru squatters

[Dave Houston]

This just in from Thelma Wilson in Warkworth;

Hi folks, I have another problem with Kereru - this time a pair of birds, & I am starting to run out of ideas.  And, yes, this one is bizarre!
 
The elderly lady owner of a deer farm has had 2 Kereru take up residence in her large, half round double garage, near Matakana. One bird came in & out a few times, the other one didn't seem to leave the garage, despite her leaving the large tilt a door open all day.  One bird spent most of it's time above the door, in the half dark.   After 2 days, she called me & I spent an evening trying to get them out.  Birds 2, DOC 0.  Next morning, after more chasing, I stapled old sheets up along the edge of the roof beams & chased them into the section of garage behind the door, & left them to it. One went in & out a couple of times, No 2 left at 4pm, when No 1 was also out, & Mrs Terzagi shut the door.  She noted a 3rd bird in the tree beside her garage. (The garage has no outside windows & is packed to the ceiling with stuff on shelves, a quad etc.)  The birds were flying about quite happily & not crashing into anything, but due to some hefty landings, quite a lot of camping gear, chilly bins etc was being knocked off shelves.

She has kept the door shut as much as possible since, but both birds are now sitting in the Oak tree opposite & giving her the strong impression they'll be back in as soon as she opens the door.  I think she is right.  And while she is prepared to share her garage with 2 crapping Kereru, she can't let them have free range in & out, as she can't leave the door open when she leaves the property overnight or for a few days.

So she is now asking if she can build them a "pigeon house" of some description, & hang it in the nearby Oak or Puriri & try to lure them away from the warm, dry garage.   I can't recall ever hearing about pigeons using artificial nests, but if anyone can explain a roost set up, I'll pass it on..
 
She isn't feeding the birds, although is happy to try & do so to keep them out.  There is no food kept in the garage, & she has a cat! (Currently shut in the house).
 
Has anyone ever had (& resolved) a similar problem, because I'm pretty much out of bright ideas

[Dave Houston]

Hmmm, quite odd.  I've never heard of kereru trying to roost inside a structure.  My response would be to put a model falcon or harrier in close proximity to the entrance and see if that deters them from entering the premises.  As for a 'pigeon house', it's not the usual sort of thing that a kereru would be attracted to for roosting or nesting, however you have got a couple of odd birds ...