Uninvited guests in a San Antonio golfing community are causing thousands of dollars in damage but Uncle Sam is on their side.
"Once we heard them pounding on the window, we came out," explained Dick Carlon.
Carlon's brand new window screens now need replacing. That's because Florida Sandhill Cranes pecked holes through them.
"We just call him the crazy bird," Carlon explained of a lone male who roams the block.
The crane has also pecked at several area cars, leaving scratch marks.
But residents living off Tee Shot Drive cannot do anything.
FEDERAL LAW PROTECTS CRANES
The Florida sandhill crane is protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and as a State-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule.
Therefore, they cannot be hunted, trapped or removed.
"It's just something we have to deal with," Carlon said.
These birds should also not be fed.
According to FWC, cranes fed by humans can become aggressive toward people. In several instances, children have been attacked by cranes. Cranes fed by humans also have been known to damage window screens and do other property damage, FWC said.
The cranes likely see their reflections in shiny cars and in windows, leading them to attack, FWC says.
