Baiting blackbirds (Icteridae) in stubble grain fields during spring migration in South Dakota

Authors

G. M. Linz, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
G.A. Knutsen, North Dakota State University, Fargo, Department of Biological Sciences
H.J. Homan, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services
W.J. Bleier, North Dakota State University, Fargo, Department of Biological SciencesFollow

Date of this Version

February 2003

Comments

Published by Crop Protection 22 (2003) 261–264.

Abstract

Blackbirds (Icteridae) annually damage US$5–8 million of ripening sunflower in the northern Great Plains. Baiting blackbirds with avicide-treated rice during spring migration might reduce the regional breeding population. In March and April 1996–1997, we simulated a baiting program in eastern South Dakota to compare attractiveness of rice-baited plots placed in fields of corn and soybean stubble. Blackbirds used plots in corn stubble more often than plots in soybean stubble and chose rice-baited plots over unbaited reference plots. We conclude that blackbirds can be successfully baited with avicide-treated rice placed in corn stubble. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.