A report suggests birds are using the sharp metal deterrents exactly as humans planned - to keep pests away.
Biologist Auke-Florian Hiemstra says the birds seem to be using the spikes as humans intended them - to keep pests awayIn cities around the world, anti-bird spikes are used to protect statues and balconies from unwanted birds - but now, it appears the birds are getting their own back.
Human-made objects being used in bird nests is nothing new - there is evidence of species around the world using everything from barbed wire to knitting needles.is the first well-documented studyMr Hiemstra's research started in the courtyard of a hospital in Antwerp, Belgium, where an enormous magpie nest was found containing some 1,500 spikes.
One is their placement - the spikes are on the roof of the nests, he says, "so they aren't just making a roof - it's a roof with thorny material for protection".
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