Thread: Pukeko and "Sensitive bird caring frustrated gardener" problem.

Hi All... I have a problem to solve... that will require something somewhat down the scale from a WSM300.

My wife... an avid gardener and bird lover... sensitive soul she is... is in a catch 22 situation.... Pukekos are digging up the garden but a terminal type solution is ruled out...

This is a problem for which there is a simple solution ... however that answer is ruled out because...
A) Suburbia and
B) My good lady likes the birds by the creek and does not want them fatally injured so to plan "B" ...a deterrent.

I am thinking a bb gun or something that will sting or give them more of a fright....and if in time they get used to a mad women brandishing a pistol wearing dressing gown and slippers at 7 am on a frosty morning ... then she may could direct a couple of plastic pellets in their direction...Hopefully in time they will learn where in the garden not to venture.

The question... head or leg shot except... what sort of pellet and FPS will cause a sting without lasting injury to a bird the size of a pukeko or weka?... something with a range of 25m and would cause them to let out a good squawk of surprise...

Looking forward to all the smart replies... hopefully there will be an answer in amongst them.