Field guardians: 10 neat things about scarecrows

October 8, 2025 Canada's Local Gardener 610 Views

Scarecrows are simple, clever and a little bit magical. They stand guard over ripening corn and pumpkins, borrow a hat and shirt from last year’s chores, and still find a place in today’s gardens and small farms. From ancient fields to Canadian harvest fairs, they show how a bit of movement, noise and surprise can keep birds guessing.

1. Ancient origins

Scarecrows are among the oldest tools in agriculture. The earliest known versions date back more than 3,000 years to Egypt, where farmers placed wooden figures in wheat fields to scare off flocks of quail.

2. Greek ingenuity

The ancient Greeks carved statues of Priapus, a fertility god, to protect their vineyards. These early scarecrows were thought to repel birds not just by appearance but by their divine association.

3. Japanese kakashi

In Japan, scarecrows called kakashi were dressed in old clothes and sometimes made to smell unpleasant by being coated in fish or rotten food, keeping both birds and animals away from rice fields.

4. Medieval Europe

During the Middle Ages, children were often sent into fields to shout and clap to drive away birds. When labour shortages followed the Black Death, straw men propped on poles, the classic scarecrow form, became a substitute.

5. Canada’s harvest traditions

Settlers in Canada used scarecrows in corn and grain fields, often dressing them in worn-out farm clothes. In some rural areas, scarecrows remain a traditional autumn sight, especially tied to harvest festivals and fairs.

6. Not always human-shaped

Scarecrows don’t need arms and a head. Some farmers have used fluttering cloth, tin pans, or stuffed sacks. In modern orchards, bright ribbons, reflective tape, or inflatable tube figures serve the same function.

7. Limited effectiveness

Birds are smart and crows are particularly so. Studies show that crows, blackbirds, and starlings quickly learn that a motionless scarecrow poses no real threat. Moving scarecrows or changing their outfits does make them more effective than leaving them static, but they’re never a perfect solution on their own. Here’s what the Ontario government advises to deter birds.

8. Cultural symbolism

Beyond the farm, scarecrows are powerful symbols. In literature and art, they’ve represented everything from vulnerability to guardianship. One of the most famous scarecrows, of course, is the kind-hearted companion in The Wizard of Oz.

9. Festivals and competitions

Across Canada and abroad, scarecrow festivals are a fun autumn tradition. Communities set up elaborate and creative figures—sometimes humorous, sometimes spooky—as part of fall celebrations.

10. From field to folklore

Scarecrows have slipped into folklore around the world. In some tales, they come to life as protectors of crops, while in others they embody fear or mischief. Their place in our imagination is as enduring as their place in the fields.