Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conferences
Date of this Version
October 1993
Abstract
Bamboo and native cane species have been suggested as optimal lure roost habitat for shifting blackbird winter roosts away from objectionable urban/suburban sites. As the second phase in developing this potential concept of alleviating conflicts with blackbirds, we report on information gathered from the literature, consultations with bamboo horticulturists, and on-site visits to previously developed bamboo plantations to select desirable species of bamboo for this purpose, and to identify preferred propagating techniques. Bamboo species Phyllostachys rubromarginata and P. nigra henonis ranked highest in terms of greatest cold tolerance, greatest propensity for lateral spreading, and most suitable structure characteristics for maintaining blackbird roosting population densities. The planting of selected rhyme cuttings at 5 X 5 m (16 X 16 ft.) spacing in the early spring was found to be the most practical method of successfully developing desirable roosting habitat in 3-4 years. Other considerations in propagating and managing bamboo as blackbird roosting habitat are discussed.