Scarecrows, a common autumnal decor, have a history that dates back to ancient times. However, their association with autumn is somewhat puzzling.
Agricultural scientist Rebecca Brown notes,
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a commercial farm that used a scarecrow with the intent of scaring birds. If they’ve got one, it’s as seasonal decoration.
Historian and folklorist James P. Leary adds that if scarecrows were used to ward off birds,
they would be constructed in spring and serve their purpose through summer.
This raises questions about the origins of scarecrows and how they became synonymous with autumn. Author's summary: Scarecrows have an interesting history.