Humane bird proofing for Sydney homes, strata buildings and businesses, from mesh skirts under solar panels to netting over loading docks, planned around the NSW laws that protect native birds.
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Birds are a different kind of pest problem. There is nothing to spray and, in most cases, nothing to remove. What works is making the spot they have chosen unusable: a roof void they can no longer get into, a ledge they can't land on, or a cavity under the solar panels that has been closed off.
Which birds you have matters as much as how you keep them out. Many of Sydney's problem birds are native, including Australian white ibis, sulphur-crested cockatoos, noisy miners and welcome swallows, and native birds are protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW). Harming them or interfering with their nests generally needs a licence. Introduced species like feral pigeons, common (Indian) mynas, starlings and house sparrows aren't protected in the same way, which widens the options.
We identify the species first, then design exclusion that suits the building, the birds and the law. Every job is quoted after an inspection. If your problem is feral pigeons roosting on ledges, balconies or in a warehouse, see our dedicated pigeon control service.
Identification comes first, because it decides what can lawfully be done.
| Bird | Status in NSW | Typical problem | Usual approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian white ibis | Native, protected | Roosting on buildings and trees near food sources; droppings and smell | Exclusion from roost sites; no interference with active nests without authority |
| Sulphur-crested cockatoo | Native, protected | Chewing timber decks, window frames, eaves and solar cabling | Physical protection of timber and cabling |
| Welcome swallow | Native, protected | Mud nests under eaves, verandas and carports | Proofing after nesting, once chicks have left |
| Noisy miner | Native, protected | Aggressive, noisy groups around gardens and outdoor areas | Habitat changes; often confused with the myna |
| Common (Indian) myna | Introduced, not protected | Nesting in roof gaps, vents and under solar panels | Sealing entry points and panel proofing |
| Starling & house sparrow | Introduced, not protected | Nesting in eaves, roof voids and wall cavities | Sealing gaps and screening vents |
| Feral pigeon | Introduced, not protected | Roosting on ledges, balconies, panels and warehouses | See pigeon control |
General information only. Before dealing with an active native bird nest, or a native bird damaging property, check current requirements with NSW Environment and Heritage.
Each method suits a different kind of spot. Most jobs combine two or three.
Tensioned, UV-stabilised netting that closes off courtyards, light wells, loading docks and roof plant areas completely.
Stainless or polycarbonate spikes on ledges, parapets, signs and beams that stop larger birds landing without harming them.
Low, tensioned wires along ledges and rooflines where a discreet look matters, such as heritage facades and shopfronts.
A mesh skirt clipped around the panel edges, closing off the sheltered gap underneath without drilling into the panels.
Mesh and flashing over gaps in eaves, vents, broken tiles and roof sheeting that small birds use to nest inside.
Removal of old nesting material and droppings from roofs, gutters and cavities, then sanitising, where it is lawful to do so.
Talk to a licensed Sydney technician today — honest advice and a fixed quote within 30 minutes.
Interfering with the nest, eggs or chicks of a protected native bird generally needs a licence. In most cases the practical answer is to wait until the chicks have fledged and the nest is no longer used, then proof the spot before the next season.
Where a native bird is damaging property or threatening safety, NSW Environment and Heritage can issue licences in some situations. Exclusion and deterrence that doesn't harm the bird is usually the first step.
Magpies and some other natives swoop in breeding season to defend their nests. It is usually short-lived. Take another route for a few weeks, and let your council know about swooping hotspots in public places.
Cockatoos can chew through decking, window frames and solar cabling. Protecting the material with metal flashing or mesh is usually more effective than trying to scare them away.
From identifying the species to checking the finished installation.
We confirm the species and whether there are active nests, which decides what can be done and when.
Every ledge, gap, panel edge and cavity the birds are using is found and photographed.
A fixed quote setting out methods, materials, access equipment and any clean-up needed.
Old nesting material and droppings are removed and sanitised where lawful, then the proofing goes in.
We confirm birds can't get back in and suggest periodic checks for sites with heavy bird pressure.
One of the most common bird problems on Sydney roofs.
The gap between a solar array and the roof is dry, shaded and hard for predators to reach. Pigeons and mynas nest there, and sticks and droppings build up quickly.
Nesting material can block gutters and hold water on the roof. Droppings foul panels and roofing, birds can damage cabling, and the noise sits right above the bedrooms.
We clear nesting material from under the array, clean the roof, then fit a mesh skirt around the panel edges with clips made for solar panels.
If there are eggs or chicks of a native species under the panels, proofing may need to wait. Mynas and pigeons are introduced and can generally be dealt with straight away. Tell us the roof height and access.
| Location | Best-suited method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eaves & roof gaps | Mesh, flashing and vent covers | Stops mynas, starlings and sparrows nesting inside |
| Solar panels | Clip-on mesh skirt | Clears nesting underneath and keeps the gap closed |
| Ledges, parapets & signage | Spikes or post-and-wire | Wire suits heritage and high-visibility frontages |
| Courtyards, light wells & balconies | Netting | Strata buildings may need approval; see strata pest control |
| Warehouses & loading docks | Netting under the roof structure | Often part of a warehouse program |
| Decks & frames chewed by cockatoos | Metal flashing or mesh over exposed edges | Protects the material without harming the birds |
Old nests and droppings leave problems behind. Keep these in mind.
Sydney's mix of native and introduced birds is what makes bird control here so specific. Ibis gather around parks, waterways and food outlets. Cockatoos range across the North Shore, the Northern Beaches and suburbs near bushland, chewing the timber they find. Mynas and sparrows move into roof gaps in established suburbs, while pigeons favour the ledges and warehouses of the inner city and industrial areas.
Getting it right means matching the method to the bird and the building, and being upfront when the law means waiting until nesting is over. If birds have left droppings and nesting material in a roof void, our pest disinfection service can sanitise it, and pest proofing deals with rodent and insect gaps at the same time.
Reviewed by Ismail, Founder · NSW Pest Management licence 5122967 · Updated September 2026
We confirm which birds you have before recommending anything.
Exclusion methods that respect native bird protections.
From solar panels and eaves to commercial netting installs.
NSW Pest Management licence 5122967 and full insurance.
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Everything you need to know before you book. Still unsure? Call us — we're happy to help.
Get a Free QuoteBird control is quoted after an inspection because it is installation work. The price depends on the method, the length of ledge or size of area to be netted, the height and access equipment needed, and how much nesting material and droppings need cleaning up. You receive a fixed written quote before any work starts.
Yes. Native birds are protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW), and it is generally an offence to harm them or interfere with their nests without a licence. Introduced birds such as feral pigeons, common mynas, starlings and house sparrows are not protected in the same way.
It depends on the species and whether the nest is active. Nests of introduced birds like mynas and sparrows can generally be removed and the gap sealed. For protected native birds with eggs or chicks, the usual approach is to wait until the young have left, then proof the spot before next season.
We clear existing nests and droppings from under the array, clean the roof surface and fit a mesh skirt around the panel edges using clips designed for solar installations, so nothing is drilled into the panels. Before finishing, we check that no birds are trapped underneath.
Usually only for a short time. Birds quickly learn that a decoy owl or reflector never does anything, then ignore it. Physical exclusion such as netting, spikes, wire and mesh changes what a bird can actually do, which is why it is the approach that tends to last.
The common (Indian) myna has a chocolate-brown body and a glossy black head, and it is an introduced species. The noisy miner is a mostly grey native honeyeater with a black crown and cheeks, and it is protected. Because the legal position differs, we confirm which bird it is before recommending anything.
Cockatoos are protected natives, so the focus is on protecting what they chew. Metal flashing, mesh or capping over exposed timber edges usually works best. Don't feed them, because that keeps them coming back. We can look at the damage and quote on protection.
Small amounts can be cleaned carefully. NSW Health advises wearing a P2 respirator and gloves and dampening bird droppings before cleaning, so dust isn't breathed in. Avoid dry sweeping or pressure washing. Large build-ups in roof voids, gutters or under solar panels are better handled professionally.
Often, yes. Netting fixed to a building's exterior or common property may need owners corporation approval under your scheme's by-laws. Check with your strata manager before booking. We can provide a written scope and product details to help the committee decide.
Warranty terms for bird proofing depend on the materials, the installation and the site, so they are confirmed in writing with your quote. The 6-month warranty listed on our website applies to general pest treatments rather than installation work such as netting, spikes and solar panel mesh.
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