Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings collection
Date of this Version
February 1982
Abstract
Preliminary results compiled from visual observations and questionnaires indicated that a large variety of crops including soyabean, cowpea, groundnut, maize, rice, sorghum were attacked at planting and seedling stages of growth by the red-eyed turtle dove (Streptopelia semitorquata). The social conditions under which this bird is protected, by social taboos and also as an attractive and common household pet in many parts of Nigeria, limit the control options that could be used to stop its deleterious activities. In the meantime research efforts are being directed to the understanding of the population ecology and biology of the species as a prerequisite to determining appropriate control strategies.