Evaluation of two perch deterrents for starlings, blackbirds, and pigeons

Authors

Thomas W. Seamans, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Scott C. Barras, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Glen E. Bernhardt, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center

Date of this Version

January 2007

Comments

Published by the International Journal of Pest Management, January-March 2007; 53(1):45-51.

Abstract

Bird-aircraft collisions are costly and potentially deadly to people and wildlife. From 1990 through 2004, 57,702 bird collisions with aircraft were reported within the USA to the US Federal Aviation Administration. Approximately 82% of the strikes occur below 305 m height about ground level; therefore bird deterrents on airfields that reduce the quality of the birds’ habitat are critical to safe airport operation. One management approach is to reduce perching sites within the airport premises. We tested two anti-perching devices (Birdwire^TM and Birdblox^TM) in an aviary setting. As an ancillary test, we determined which wire in a standard three-strand security array was preferred by blackbirds and starlings. Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater), and European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were deterred from sitting on a perch when anti-perching wire was installed 5 cm above the perch. These same species preferred the top wire of the three-wire security array. Red-winged blackbirds, common grackles (Quiscalus quiscula), brown-headed cowbirds, European starlings, and rock pigeons (Columba livia) were deterred from perches protected by Birdblox^TM. Because our tests were conducted in a captive situation, we recommend field testing the products to determine if bird use of airport structures may be reduced in an operational setting.