As farmers look to protect their livestock from black vulture attacks, they need control strategies. The University of Missouri Black Vulture Project suggests the following scare tactics:

Create loud noises. Use horns, starter pistols, shell crackers or propane cannons. Waving your arms, or banging pots and pans together, or driving near to them and beeping your horn have been effective.

Agitate roost. Some farmers spray water at a perch; others point lasers.

Try animal control. Use a guard dog to frighten and chase away black vultures.

Use effective effigy. This consists of placing either a dead black vulture or a vulture replica around calving areas to scare away live vultures.

Most successful prevention option

Effigy use has been particularly effective in deterring black vultures.

“Essentially, it is taking a dead black vulture and hanging it up on your pasture, from a tree branch or other highly visible object, upside down with the wings spread out,” says Dan McMurtry, North District supervisor and FAA Qualified Airport wildlife biologist with USDA’s Wildlife Services. “These work 24/7, while a farmer often cannot be with their livestock all day long.”

They need to be seen from a distance as black vultures have better sight than smell.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services personnel can bring effigies to farmers and help them hang them, free of charge, McMurtry adds. There are also other ways to procure black vulture replicas for your farm.

Where to buy effigies

Just how troublesome are black vultures?

So much that effigies can be ordered online through Amazon and Walmart, but it will cost you. One black vulture replica at:

However, there are other options for those who enjoy power tools and are a little craftier.

DIY replica

If you need more than one black vulture effigy, consider constructing them.

The University of Kentucky Extension created a video to explain the step-by-step process, including materials, tools and assembly:

UK Extension also provides a video of where to place the effigies around the farm.