Natural Instincts

Mission
Natural Instincts is dedicated to providing a professional service by controlling problem birds or any other animal for that matter in an effective yet humane way. Letting nature control or eradicate the problem. If you have a problem, we will find the solution.
We are also dedicated to introducing the Barn Owl closer to our homes and businesses by building special Owl nesting boxes. This will help in combating rodent infestations long term in a natural way without the use of poisons.

How it Works
Raptor Based Bird Abatement
In the case of pest birds, many gimmicks have been used. Sure they work for the first few days but the birds eventually get used to these man-made deterrents and either adapt to or totally ignore them. The one thing pest birds will never get used to is a Hawk or Falcon continually hunting them. Especially in places where the problem birds think that they are safe. The presence of a hunting Hawk or Falcon triggers the problems bird’s natural instinct of fear. If those Hawks hunt their roosts and nesting area day after day, the problems bird will eventually move to a different location. This is a natural and sustainable technique. It is quiet, chemical free and non-polluting. The concept is referred to as “Raptor Based Bird Abatement”. It is relatively new in South Africa but is employed all over the world to get rid of problem birds.
Natural Instincts uses a specific species of Hawk that is highly intelligent, adaptable to any situation and is capable of successfully hunting any of the problem bird species that you may be encountering from the size of a Starling to an Egyptian Goose. We use a team of trained Harris Hawks for our operations. All our hawks are captive bred which enables them to be utilised for commercial purposes.

Why Barn Owls?
The Barn Owl is a very fascinating species of Owl. They form their own separate species to the other Owls. The Common Barn Owl is called Tyto Alba. The Thesaurus Dictionary describes Tyro Alba as: “Mottled buff and white Owl often inhabiting barns and other structures; important in rodent control”. A family of Barn Owls can consume about 3000 rodents in a breeding season alone! It is for this reason Nature Conservation specialist’s state the Barn Owl to be the most economically beneficial species to humans.
Barn Owls are exceptional hunters, and when feeding their nestlings will consume thousands of rodents in a season. In the past many farmers shot the owls fearing for their poultry livestock, but today many have come to realize that the owls perform a valuable service in their control of rodent populations. Many farms, vineyards and small holdings now encourage owls to take up residence by installing Owl boxes and have ceased the use of rodenticides (poisons), which cause secondary poisoning when poisoned rodents are consumed by Owls. Barn Owls are known for their tolerance of humans as they often choose to nest in quite close proximity. Sadly though, it is humans who cause a great deal of the Barn Owl's mortality.
Just for a bit of interesting trivia: The Barn Owl is known by many other names, which may refer to their appearance, call, habitat or the eerie, silent flight. Aka: White Owl, Silver Owl, Demon Owl, Ghost Owl, Death Owl, Night Owl, Rat Owl, Church Owl, Cave Owl, Stone Owl, Monkey-faced Owl, Hissing Owl, Hobgoblin or Hobby Owl, Dobby Owl, White-breasted Owl, Golden Owl, Screech Owl, Straw Owl, Barnyard Owl and Delicate Owl.

Owl Boxes
At Natural Instincts, we manufacture quality Barn Owl nest boxes in order to attract Barn Owls to gardens, farms, parks, Golf courses and even industrial areas. Our nest box design is ideal in that they are safe for the owlets (young Owls). Most Owl box designs are incorrect in that many young Owls actually fall out of the box when they are still too young or even when they are in their “branching” phase of development. Natural Instincts’ Owl Boxes have a big enough platform around the nest box entrance for the Owlets to safely exercise their wings and roost. This prevents them from falling to the ground before they can actually fly properly.
The entrance of the nest box is place high enough above the actual nesting plat form. This prevents very young Owlets from falling out and only once they are strong enough, are they able to reach the entrance/exit. There they will find a broad and secure platform welcoming them to their new life in the outside world. Barn Owls prefer a tight entrance where they have to squeeze their little bodies into their new home. Many other Owl boxes make their entrances too large which deter the Owls.
A big problem with other Owl box designs is that you will find them attracting swarms of Bees even before Owls get the chance to move in. Because our Owl nest boxes are designed in an isosceles triangle shape, Bees don’t want to move in as the angle of roof is too steep for them to build their wax combs. This also gives a wide base for the young and parents on the nest platform and the exit is high enough for the safety of the young. The box has an inspection door on the side at the bottom for nest inspection and maintenance.
We are currently working on a captive breeding program using injured Owls that are unable to be released back into the wild. The young form those breeding Owls will be placed into installed Owl nest boxes.
If you order a nest box through Natural Instincts we can professionally install the box for you in the correct place, give advice and maintain your Owl nesting box. Just give us a call and we can discuss the best deal for you. Rest assured though, if you have a pair of Barn Owls nesting near your farm shed, fields or in your yard or business. They will be working around the clock sorting out your rat problem while you sleep.

Raptor Rehabilitation
A large number of Raptors which include Owls are injured by either flying into windows, hit by cars, shot or even poisoned. Young birds also fall out of their nests during storms or high winds. Unfortunately some nests are robbed by people who don’t know any better and are not able to properly care for a young Raptor or trees cut down with the nests and young still inside. This is illegal in both cases as all Birds of Prey are protected by law.
Of these birds, there are many that are able to be rehabilitated back into the wild after firstly having been given the right professional veterinary care. Once they have healed sufficiently and they are in a good enough physical condition then they can start with their rehabilitation process.
Here at Natural Instincts’ home base, we have a small but growing Raptor Rehabilitation program. Because of our love and passion for all Raptors which include Eagles, Buzzards, Vultures, Hawks, Falcons and Owls, we use Falconry methods in order to get Raptors that are able to be released fit again for life in the wild. Many people make the mistake that because a Falcon for example looks like it can fly again then it will be able to survive. This could not be further from the truth unfortunately. Especially for very ‘high paced’ hunting Raptors. They need to be in peak physical condition in order for them to out maneuver and pursue their prey.
If you happen to come across a young or injured Raptor, you can contact us and we will come and pick the bird up and take it to a veterinary doctor if needed. We are also a licensed rehabilitation facility though Cape Nature Conservation. Just be sure to take certain precautions when approaching an injured or young Raptor. If you have gloves, use them or a towel to throw over the bird. Once it is secure, place the bird in a well ventilated cardboard box with a small towel at the bottom. Be sure to make a couple of vent holes at the bottom of the box as to prohibit the bird from jumping up and possibly further injuring itself. You could preferably contact Victor on: 072 460 9022 and I will take you through the steps on what to do.
As any living thing in nature, our Birds of Prey are very important to us all. They are our apex predators in the bird kingdom are even more threatened. Not enough can be said on how important they are and how they actually benefit us. For us at Natural Instincts, this is a small contribution by helping injured or orphaned Raptors to get a second chance in life. A way to give back to nature what we take by being able to be blessed enough to see how these amazing birds hunt and interact with man.