Sunflower Bird Pests

Authors

George M. Linz, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
James J. Hanzel, Genosys, LLC, Fargo, ND

Date of this Version

2015

Citation

In: E. Martinez-Force, N.T. Dunford, and J.J. Salas, editors. Sunflower Chemistry, Production, Processing, and Utilization. AOCS Press, Urbana, Illinois, in association with USDA APHIS Wildlife Services NWRC. 175-186.

Comments

U.S. Government Work

Abstract

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is annually planted on approximately 26 million hectares in Australia, China, Europe, India, North America, Paldstan, Russia, South America, and Ukraine (National Sunflower Association, 2014). Flocks of granivorous birds, ranging in size from a few to millions, can be found in every sunflower growing region and have been documented to cause serious economic losses (Linz et al., 2011) (Figure 7.1). Avian species that damage sunflower generally belong to the parakeet (Psittacldae), dove (Columbidae), cockatoo (Cacatuidae), sparrow (Passeridae), crow (Corvidae), and blackbird (Icterinae) families (De Grazio, 1989; Linz and Hanzel, 1997; Linz et al., 2011; Rodriquez et al., 1995; van Niekerk, 2009).