HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS AROUND FALL BLACKBIRD ROOSTS

Authors

Mark W. Lutman, North Dakota State University FargoFollow
George M. Linz, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
William J. Bleier, USDA /NWRCFollow

Date of this Version

January 2001

Comments

Published in Proc. of the 23th Sunflower Research Workshop. January 17-18, 2001. Fargo, ND

Abstract

In the fall, blackbirds form large flocks and roost overnight in cattail marshes. These blackbirds cause millions of dollars in damage to ripening sunflower fields in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. By knowing the habitat characteristics around fall blackbird roosts sites, management officials may be able to predict future roost locations and then implement control techniques to help reduce blackbird damage to sunflower fields. We present data on the available habitat around blackbird roosts to determine if there is a relationship between the habitat and fall roost sites.