Ah, no argument gobug.

I was not real clear on trying to type my comments. (bit tired and to be honest, I usually hate talking about birds... left over burn out from the wildlife work, and I try to normally stay out of bird topics)
Lets see if I can do a bit better...
Federal law does allow people to protect themselves and their property from damage that may be caused by birds. This does not normally include though, capturing them or killing them.
You can scare them off, chase them away, that sort of thing.
There are some birds that can be killed, but there are such specifics on this and regulations, and most of the time, it has more to do with agriculture or airports, that sort of thing. I am sure too that there are variables in some states.
There are some specifics about nusiance species as you were saying, that can over-see the need for permits, etc.
But since you deal with the Federal Wildlife Laws in your work, you know how hard that is to discuss this all in something like a forum. You get into the topics of destruction of trees, crops, which species, etc and get all dizzy.

Least I do.
I guess the best thing would be for folks to check with their states DNR and ask about the Animal Damage Control Act or specifics dealing with nuisance species, if they were having that much of a problem.
It just gets so complicated in ways.
Oh and yes, house sparrow and English sparrow are the same.
Oh and i need to try that "mylar thingys" one. (laughed when read word thingys)
Shame about the pigeons there. I honestly dislike wild pigeons a great deal. So many risks.