Do Scarecrows Really Scare Birds?
A scarecrow is a special type of mannequin that farmers often place in fields to attempt to discourage crows from disturbing fragile crops and gardens. Crows are disruptive because they feed on recently cast seeds and frequently form large and noisy flocks of up to 30 birds. In addition, the territorial nature of the birds causes them to return to the same location on a nightly basis. Scarecrows were first used in Europe in the late 1500s. Farm families would use old clothes and straw to create a menacing looking figure that they hoped would frighten crows away from the freshly planted corn. Before the use of scarecrows became common, a dead crow hung upside down from a pole was the most popular way of dealing with problems caused by these pesky birds. Scarecrows are known throughout the world, although they called different names in some counties. In Scotland, for example, a scarecrow is called a tattie bogle. In Sommerset, England, scarecrows are commonly referred to as mommets. Unfo
