What are those spinny, flashy things on buildings lately?

[Coventina]

They seem to have cropped up almost overnight, but now I'm seeing them a lot.

Are they some kind of bird repellent?

Just to attract attention?

I only see them on businesses, I haven't seen them on houses, yet.

[samnsara]

1. like strips of foil?

..I haven't seen any bldgs. with them but around here orchardists put them in trees to scare off the birds.

[Coventina]

2. They look kind of like shiny metal pyramids that spin.

Not sure if they are mechanized or wind driven.
I'm guessing wind, but unsure.

[jpak]

3. Zombie attractors

Don't go near the pit.

[Sneederbunk]

4. Go to Alex Jones for a definitive answer.

[shenmue]

5. Huh?

I sry.

[appleannie1943]

6. Is this what they look like?

?cb=1469681069



A lot of people are asking about them but have not found an answer.

[samnsara]

7. can they be spinning deflecters to warn airplanes not to fly into them?

..what town? I vote we call someone at the chamber or city hall and ask them...or some 14 yr old boy on the street.

[Coventina]

9. Yes! That is what they look like!!

[yallerdawg]

8. "Why all these questions?"

[eppur_se_muova]

10. ... deterrent system designed to prevent pigeons ...

Keith McManis, property manager of the Vermont House, informed me that the devices are a deterrent system designed to prevent pigeons from nesting on the roof. Powered by a motor, the metallic pyramids rotate and reflect sunlight in such a way that pigeons become disoriented and fly away.

https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/what-are-those-reflective-things-on-top-of-the-vermont-house/Content?oid=2265863

Apparently Orkin, presumably among others, installs them.

http://www.birdbarrier.com/products/eagle-eye/

[Glamrock]

11. Here ya go....

http://www.eagleeye.co.za/

[handmade34]

12. bird repellent n/t

[csziggy]

13. Bird deterrents

Eagle Eye and Flash Flag harmlessly deter birds from unwanted areas by making use of light beams reflected from direct sunlight or artificial light.
Where to Use: Open areas where birds can't be controlled with other products; parking lots, roof-tops, agricultural settings.
Target Bird: All species
Bird Pressure: Light - Medium
Material: Durable ABS Plastic, aluminum and galvanized steel.
Installation: Screw the base to the building surface



http://www.birdbarrier.com/products/eagle-eye/

[Zorro]

14. Wish there was a cheaper alternative

Birds fly into my windows all the time, leaving dust and feathers to mark the spots of their collisions.

About half the time it's fatal.

[csziggy]

15. There are - shapes to stick to the outside of your windows

So the birds see an object to turn away from. Some are silhouettes of hawks or owls. Birds Unlimited has these:

?1385162776
http://shop.wbu.com/p/window-alerts-set-of-4/problem-solvers?pp=12

Some experts don't think the silhouettes work but they have other suggestions: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/why-birds-hit-windows-and-how-you-can-help-prevent-it/

[Zorro]

16. Thanks for the suggestions

I've tried fiberglas owls, fluttering red cellophane tape, spinning shiny orbs, all to no avail.

Now I have a California towhee that spends hours a day deliberately hopping up and banging into my kitchen nook window -- it's been doing it for about 2 years now. Talk about a birdbrain.

[onethatcares]

17. just wait until the pigeons

start making human repellents.

[yagotme]

18. They already do.

Never had any drop on your shoulder, or stepped in any???