15-04-2025
Florida man confronts neighbor accused of shooting protected bird, video shows
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – A heated confrontation between a Florida homeowner and his neighbor over the shooting of a protected bird has prompted outrage in the community.
The exchange took place in Madeira Beach after the neighbor, identified as a 42-year-old male, allegedly shot a heron, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
FWC said the man accused of shooting the birds later admitted to doing so.
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Footage of the confrontation, taken by the accuser, begins as he approaches his neighbor. A lifeless great blue heron appears to be floating in the neighbor's pool.
The man then accuses his neighbor of shooting the protected bird, saying such activity is 'highly illegal.' He also claims that he overheard the neighbor discussing plans to rid his property of the birds.
'No, I said I was going to try to get 'em away,' the 42-year-old says at one point.
'You moved into the birds' house. You cannot kill the animals that live here,' the man filming the video shoots back.
The 42-year-old is also heard claiming he 'did not mean to kill the damn thing' but rather scare it away.
FWC officers responded to the home on April 12 in response to a complaint, and found a dead heron and a dead mallard duck in the homeowner's yard. The agency said the man told them he shot the birds with a pellet gun to keep them away from his pool.
The man accused of shooting the birds was cited for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and was issued a notice to appear in court.
Speaking with Nexstar's WFLA, Charlotte Arndt, an education coordinator at Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, said no one should be shooting at a protected bird.
'My best advice is if you don't want to have great blue herons on your property, don't move to a place where great blue herons live,' Arndt said. 'Removing any one bird from the area especially during mating season can have a devastating effect on the babies. Of course both parents contribute to the nest but taking one of those parents away takes a lot of the resources away which makes it less likely that all the eggs that hatch are going to become fledged adults.'
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The Seaside Seabird Sanctuary is about 10 minutes from where the incident happened. The vice president of the Clearwater Audubon Society, Kim Begay, said the 42-year-old could've reached out to the sanctuary, the FWC or even the Audubon Society for help.
'It's not that hard to deter them,' said Begay. 'You can install motion activated sprinklers. You can actually just bang a pot really loud when you see the bird in your backyard.'
Begay said the neighbor may now be facing misdemeanor charges as a result of this incident.
'If you have a problem like this, reach out. Please don't just start shooting. It's not the way to go,' said Begay.
The Audubon Society, however, also recommends getting law enforcement involved before confronting a neighbor on a problem.
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