I realise this is one of the most unlikely subjects for this forum, but it is driving me mad! Any suggestions from members which will help solve the problem will be extremely welcome.

I have lived for 24 years in a top floor apartment in an 8-storey condo building close to the centre of Bangkok. It is in a quiet residential area and one of its attractions is that peace you get with virtually no traffic. Now a much more annoying noise has appeared. About 6 weeks ago, I was wakened at 6:00 am by a knock on the bedroom window. Shocked that there might be someone on the little balcony, I soon realised what it was - the wing of a crow which had hit it, settled on the balcony rail and then started an incessant "craw, craw, craw." Soon during the daytime a crow started appearing on the outside of the sitting room on the same balcony which spreads across the lenrgth of the condo. Same banging on the window followed by the same crowing. Friends advised me that crows do not like certain smells and I should put mothballs on the railing. Internet sites agree and add things like garlic. So I also have little bags of garlic along the rail.

Nothing stops these very annoying creatures unless I myself go close to the window. What I find so strange is that I can't recall ever hearing a crow at any other time in nearly a quarter of a century. The condo management has checked for any crows' nest on the roof. Nothing. If anyone has any prior experience of how to get rid of them - bar shooting them as I'd have to shoot through the window and I do not have a gun! - I'd love to know.

Why don't you rub the balcony with oil or grease to prevent them from getting a grip?

Just a thought.

16 minutes ago, a-447 said:

Why don't you rub the balcony with oil or grease to prevent them from getting a grip?

Just a thought.

Thank you. I will try. But their talons are quite large and the balcony quite thin. But worth trying.

Maybe the good old scarecrow?

Old Daddy on the balcony should frighten them off!

I have heard that crows are afraid of owls.  You might try putting a fake (plastic, wood, etc.) owl on the balcony and see if that will scare them away.  I also recall growing up my grandfather would put shiny aluminum pie pans on strings in the garden to scare the crows away.  It was a combination of the shiny material and the noise that the crows did not like.  

Here's a link to a variety of methods:

https://www.nixalite.com/products/crow-raven-control

Crows are unusually intelligent, so I doubt scarecrows or stationary plastic/ceramic owls would work, unless maybe they move or otherwise react to movement.

6 hours ago, unicorn said:

Here's a link to a variety of methods:

Thank you. Lots of good ideas there. I think my one concern is the balcony rail is just about 30 kms above the height of the bottom of the wndow and I have a great view (yes, even in Bangkok). So anything that disturbs that view will definitely look unsightly. On the other hand, if needs must . . . .

22 hours ago, a-447 said:

Why don't you rub the balcony with oil or grease to prevent them from getting a grip?

I bought some engine oil yesterday and smeared it along the top of the balcony rail. The crows are still there today, alas, but thanks for the thought.

Certainly Peter you are not nature's lover. Enjoy what comes your way and marvel at God's magnificent creatures ,be it crows, cobras or even gay moneyboys

18 hours ago, vinapu said:

Certainly Peter you are not nature's lover. Enjoy what comes your way and marvel at God's magnificent creatures ,be it crows, cobras or even gay moneyboys

I'll have the money  boys - you can keep the crows and cobras. This is a photo of the bugger who woke me at 5:50 this morning.

I see couch ready for incoming Olddaddy's visit. 

 

19 hours ago, vinapu said:

I see couch ready for incoming Olddaddy's visit. 

as is the balcony and crow..... 

Solution found! These spikes stop the crows getting anywhere near the railing. They are smaller than they look in the pic. Not expensive and you can get them from Lazada. 

Glad you were able to find a solution.  Certainly would keep me from wanting to sit on the railing!  LOL.  

12 hours ago, PeterRS said:

Solution found! These spikes stop the crows getting anywhere near the railing. They are smaller than they look in the pic. Not expensive and you can get them from Lazada. 

You really hate nature , don't you ?

9 hours ago, vinapu said:

You really hate nature , don't you ?

I hate crows, that's for sure, the more so when they deprive me of 90 minutes sleep each day! But given all my decades of travels to see some of the world's greatest natural wonders, I can't really agree with your generality.

Wait for #3:

 

 

We have a similar thing in NYC.....we call them PIGEONS !   🤪

2 hours ago, Suckrates said:

We have a similar thing in NYC.....we call them PIGEONS !   🤪

I have both in my garden! Plus magpies.

3 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

I have both in my garden! Plus magpies.

I have  a parrot but her  being battery operated she is easy to silence and doesn't leave droppings

The railing spikes work most of the time, but I still get crows occasionally banging into windows. Yesterday I discovered a solar panel outside bird deterrent on amazon which I have ordered. East to fix to the wall and the sound it emits which humans cannot hear is supposed to be very effective. We will see! Hopefully it will not affect @Olddaddy when he finally makes it to sleep on my balcony! 

4 hours ago, PeterRS said:

The railing spikes work most of the time, but I still get crows occasionally banging into windows. Yesterday I discovered a solar panel outside bird deterrent on amazon which I have ordered. East to fix to the wall and the sound it emits which humans cannot hear is supposed to be very effective. We will see! Hopefully it will not affect @Olddaddy when he finally makes it to sleep on my balcony! 

I have bird outline stickers that I put on my French windows to stop birds flying into the glass. Seems to work. Bit unsightly,  as they are black.

3 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

I have bird outline stickers that I put on my French windows to stop birds flying into the glass. Seems to work. Bit unsightly,  as they are black.

That is something i should perhaps consider, but one reason I bought this apartment is because of the view and , crows notwithstanding, I will not have that view interrupted. It is the bedroom which is affected now and I have some twisted strips of coloured reflective paper being installed at the side tomorrow. Plus I will soon have my solar bird deterrent. Hopefully these will work.