Efficacy of an Acoustic Hailing Device as an Avian Dispersal Tool

Authors

Peter E. Schlichting, University of GeorgiaFollow
Amanda E. Holland, University of Georgia
James C. Beasley, University of GeorgiaFollow
Albert L. Bryan, University of GeorgiaFollow
Robert A. Kennamer, University of GeorgiaFollow
Travis L. DeVault, USDA APHIS Wildlife ServicesFollow
Bradley F. Blackwell, USDA APHIS Wildlife ServicesFollow
Olin E. Rhodes Jr., University of GeorgiaFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2017

Citation

Wildlife Society Bulletin 41(3):453–460; 2017

Comments

Copyright 2017 The Wildlife Society.

This document is a U.S. government work and is not subject to copyright in the United States.

DOI: 10.1002/wsb.797

Abstract

Bird strikes are a major safety and financial concern for modern aviation. Audible stimuli are common bird dispersal techniques, but their effectiveness is limited by the saliency and relevance of the stimulus. Furthermore, high ambient sound levels present at airfields might require that effective audible stimuli rely more on total volume (i.e., exceeding physiological tolerances) than ecological relevance. Acoustic hailing devices (AHD) are capable of sound output with a narrow beamwidth and at volumes high enough to cause physical discomfort at long distances. We tested the effectiveness of anAHD as a dispersal tool on freeranging birds recognized as hazardous to aviation safety at the Savannah River Site and Phinizy Swamp Nature Park in South Carolina and Georgia, USA, respectively, between October 2013 and March 2015. Our study design included experimental trials with timed-interval counts of birds directly before and after AHD treatment. For most species, counts of birds associated with treatment periods (use of AHD) and control periods (no use of AHD) occurred on different days. Sound treatments yielded variable success at dispersing birds. Specifically, AHD treatment was effective for dispersing vultures (Coragyps atratus and Cathartes aura) and gulls (Laridae), but ineffective for dispersing blackbirds (Icteridae), diving ducks (Aythya spp., Bucephala spp., Oxyura spp.), and coots (Fulica americana). Trials were conducted in a relatively quiet environment with birds that were unhabituated to excessive noise; thus, we cannot unequivocally recommend an AHD as a universally effective avian dispersing tool. However, future research should consider AHD testing integrated with other methods, as well as investigation of treatments that might be salient to specific target species.