Can birds become resentful if you chop a tree down?

Posted by Garrett8319@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 31 comments

We're having an old tree cut down at the end of the garden due to the fact that it it has become a nuisance to maintain. It is popular with birds, and I feel somewhat sorry for them, but we have plenty of other trees around. But I hope they're not too attached to this particular tree. But is it possible they may resent my cutting the tree down and become hostile or defensive? They're pretty smart some of them, and we don't want any bother with them. And I have on occasion seen a seagull stood on a branch, they're particularly vindictive when upset. Appreciate any advice

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31 Comments

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Asyn--Await@reddit

There's a documentary you should check out. The Bird (1963).

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660trail@reddit

It's not a documentary. It's a fictional horror film.

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Asyn--Await@reddit

Damn, we got an Einstein over here.

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UrbanAlly@reddit

If it's crows you are totally fucked mate ! You will probably be fine with robins and pigeons!

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Maximum-Armadillo152@reddit

I worry about some people, I really do

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Garrett8319@reddit (OP)

Thank you. I think the birds will understand. We're going to add a bird bath to the frontage of the property. I don't know what else I can do. And I'm sure they'll appreciate it in their own way. They already have a pond, but a bird bath is probably an upgrade due to the quality of the water and the absence of dragon flies.

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Maximum-Armadillo152@reddit

It must be a luxury having the time and mental bandwidth to care about nonsense like this

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Garrett8319@reddit (OP)

We have frogs too. I'm planning on introducing a garden gnome around the pond area. But wouldn't want to scare the tadpoles. so may leave it for a bit.

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bornleverpuller85@reddit

They're going to peck your eyes out

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Wonderpants_uk@reddit

And then shit down the empty eye sockets.

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Garrett8319@reddit (OP)

I wear glasses so should be ok. They'll have to make do with fat balls

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Big-Basis3246@reddit

Yes

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Clever_Username_467@reddit

I don't think they have the cognitive capacity for thought at that level of sophistication.

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660trail@reddit

They certainly do.

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AverageCheap4990@reddit

Depends on the birds. Crows, ravens, and magpies might take some revenge.

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ThaneOfArcadia@reddit

Yes, they'll gather on phone lines and when you least expect it they'll swoop down and poke your eyes out.

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PlumbTuckerd@reddit

Don't FxxK with Crows.

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tmstms@reddit

Yeah, they can. Didn't Alfred Hitchcock make a film about this?

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Thesunismexico@reddit

Yes he did. Rope.

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OccidentalTouriste@reddit

Surely as the tree is in the back garden the Hitchcock film would have to be Rear Window?

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Thesunismexico@reddit

It was just a joke! Jeepers, everyone knows it’s rear window.

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OccidentalTouriste@reddit

You've now just peered through the Torn Curtain and become The Man Who Knew Too Much.

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EllieW47@reddit

You say you are getting it chopped down, that implies someone else is doing it. Surely the birds won't make the connection to you? If you are worried don't stand there pointing whilst they do it and make sure the birds don't see any money changing hands!

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Imaginary_Isopod_17@reddit

Rush out just as it's felled and shout "Nooooo! How could you!?" so that the birds know you're just as upset as them.

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28374woolijay@reddit

Corvids can not only remember you for chopping the tree down, they can tell others of their species how to recognise you, so they will hate you forever throughout all generations of them until you die.

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Lewis19962010@reddit

If there is crows living in the tree then you are screwed and they will scratch any car you have on the property on purpose

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sprucay@reddit

You do hear stories about birds attacking people that have disturbed their eggs or whatever. Also, I realise this is going to sound judgy, but that's a pretty shit reason to cut down a tree. You can see yourself it's great for wildlife and it's doing it bit to pull CO2 out of the air.

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Garrett8319@reddit (OP)

It's a hazard though. In the wind it's vulnerable to collapse. So we're not taking any chances. I'm putting a bird table out as a gesture. I thought if I do that on the day we cut the tree down, the birds will put 2 and 2 together.

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Ill-Indication5828@reddit

Why don't you raise the rent on the tree instead?

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sprucay@reddit

If it's a hazard, that's fair. Maybe plant another one as well?

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Garrett8319@reddit (OP)

Yes don't mind doing that