The sounds of the song of birds in the morning are generally something that many people would find refreshing. But for Bradley and Cherylee Gosse, the persistent tingling of a Northern flickering Lose sleep.
“Fortunately, we are already in place for work,” said Gosse. “But on weekends, five in the morning, we are woken up by birds.
“We have dogs in our house and it makes our dogs crazy.”
A northern flicker weighs through the stucco of a Calgary house.
Bradley Gosse
The peak birds Breaking the holes through the stucco coating of their Douglasdale house in search of insects to eat or an appropriate place to nest, and in addition to doing what they can dissuade birds, the Gosse family cannot get rid of the flickering because they are a protected species.
“The peaks and sparkle are protected by the North American Migratory Bird Act. Thus, in Canada, this is managed at a federal level by Environment Canada, “said Nicholas Holland, owner of Peregrine Pest Control.
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“There are fines that change the life that comes with touching species that are protected.”
These fines vary from $ 5,000 to $ 300,000 and up to six months in prison. So the kids have tried everything they can to keep birds away – wind carillons, peak bands, flashes, even plastic owls – in vain.
“Last year, we had 20 holes in total, I think there was only one bird,” said Gosse. “The previous year was a little less, but it seems that they become more and more worse during the seasons.”
Some of the holes created by a northern flicker, filled with sprayed foam.
Drew Stremick / Global News
The couple, constantly filling holes with spray foam, tried to covered damage by their home insurance, but they were told that damage linked to birds and parasites are not covered.
“We were essentially told that pests, birds, vermin … All of this damage is on us,” said Gosse. “And, any future water damage or something as it is still on us because it is due to pests.”
This is the standard in the insurance sector in Canada, according to Rob de Pruis from the Canada Insurance Bureau.
“There could be an occasional policy that may not exclude the damage to birds, but that would certainly be the exception,” said Prius.
“The specific wording of each police vary … So talk to your insurance representative, they are the expert and they can speak to you and confirm the available options.”
Too much too late for the kids, the only option of which is now to pay for their coating to restore.
“Our only solution is to demolish the stucco and put the vinyl coating,” said Gosse. “We had some quotes for this, and they are between $ 15,000 and $ 35,000.”
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