According to Rutgers Cooperative Extension, blackbirds can be nuisances to gardens. “Blackbirds” include red-winged blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, starlings and other blackbirds. These birds will eat insects and small animals, but they’ll also feast on seeds including sunflower seeds, sorghum and grains) as well as vegetables like lettuce, peppers, tomatoes and sweet corn… There are numerous strategies that can be employed to deter birds from feeding in your garden. Some strategies may not work for all birds, though, so it may take trial-and-error to find out what really works… Rutgers Cooperative Extension offers the following ideas for keeping birds out of your fruits and vegetables…