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High power laser pointers can be used in a number of different real world applications beyond lighting matches, popping balloons, and star gazing. When it comes to bird control (geese, ducks, and others) high power green lasers have become an indispensable tool for not only home owners who want to keep their property clear, but also for aviation companies and airports.

Classification of lasers

“It is common for people to see a bright flash of light and think that they are injured when they really are not. The ophthalmologist has to be somewhat leery of what caused the injury. Was it caused by a laser? Or are you observing a visual anomaly that has been there all along? I recommend referring these patients to an ophthalmologist who has experience with this type of injury.” -- Laser injury expert Bruce Stuck, director of the U.S. Army Medical Research Detachment of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research at Brooks Air Force Base.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates lasers, about 60 percent of lasers they tested in 2018 were over the power listed on the label — or the label did not list a power level. Lasers called “pointers” or sold for pointing, are required to be less than 5 milliwatts in the U.S., and less than 1 milliwatt in countries such as the U.K. and Australia.

A 2003 review of methods of bird scaring techniques and potential alternatives by the U.K. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) listed many ways of dispersing birds. If you are simply interested in getting rid of annoying birds, this document may be useful.