April 2022 - 14

Laser scarecrows mounted in fields like this Rhode Island sweet corn field can help deter certain types of birds, research shows. Photos: Cornell Cooperative Extension
Laser scarecrows studied to deter
birds from fields, aid small growers
By Doug Ohlemeier
Assistant Editor
A high-tech solution employing the
power of light can help growers protect
their crops from birds. Laser beams are
being tested to scare birds from sweet
corn fields and other crops.
A laser scarecrow system being tested
in the Northeast deploys a constantly
moving green laser beam to frighten
birds from the fields. In a March 22
webinar, researchers from the University
of Rhode Island (URI) and Cornell
Cooperative Extension shared research
insights gained through examining use
of the experimental laser scarecrow.
The open source 50-milliwatt
scarecrows were tested on New York
and Rhode Island farms. The URI units
cover up to nine acres and sell for $650.
They are designed for growers with
smaller fields or fields with multiple
varying elevations, operations that likely
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14 | FruitGrowersNews.com
won't see economies of scale to justify
larger units. The researchers want to
offer the scarecrows to cooperating
growers at close to researchers' costs,
said Rebecca Nelson Brown, associate
professor in URI's Department of Plant
Sciences and Entomology.
The second season of testing the URI
units on sweet corn, a major Rhode Island
crop, began in April. The scarecrows are
also used to scare birds from blueberries
and grapes. Sweet cherries are also being
considered. After a grower inquired if the
scarecrows have been tested in cherry
orchards, presenters said lasers have
been used in British Columbia orchards.
Researchers said they could likely find a
cooperator for such tests.
Newly improved laser scarecrow kits
are to be again available this year for
those who partner with the researchers.
" It's fairly new technology used
in ag, " said Brown. " Lots of studies
haven't been done yet. "
Birds possess strong eyesight, about
10 times greater than humans', but
vary by species. Birds can quickly
identify and ignore deterrents like
scary-eyed balloons, effigies and
startling noises, a reason propane
canons possess limited effectiveness.
" Like when we tune-out a constant
background noise, the birds will tune
out, " said Brown. " The challenge is how
do we propel birds from a large area
without physically traversing the area? "
Improvements in laser and battery
technology removed limitations of early
1970s non-automated, gas-powered
technology. While modern research
examines daytime application, previous
research focused on low-light scenarios.
Studies targeted disrupting roosting
birds at sunset. The birds, however,
would often return, said Brown.
Laser light prevents birds from
perching on tops of corn tassels before
moving lower to feed. Stopping perching

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April 2022

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