Albany – At the request of the City of Albany, wildlife biologists with the US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – Wildlife Services, will be conducting a non-lethal pilot project to investigate techniques to change roosting patterns of American crows roosting in the city.

The program will begin today at 3:30 p.m. and end on December 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the area surrounded by Hackett Boulevard, Academy Road, New Scotland Avenue and Holland Avenue.

The non-lethal harassment methods used to disperse crows include pyrotechnics, electronic guards, non-harmful lasers, and amplified, recorded crow distress calls.

Several of those methods produce loud noises and flashing lights similar to sirens and fireworks that frighten birds and may be heard or observed by local residents.

Biologist will be wearing uniforms and a blaze orange vest marked “USDA Wildlife Services.”