Threshold Concentrations of an Anthraquinone-Based Repellent for Canada Geese, Red-Winged Blackbirds, and Ring-Necked Pheasants

Authors

Scott J. Werner, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife ServicesFollow
James C. Carlson, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Shelagh K. Tupper, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services
Michele M. Santer, Arkion Life Sciences
George M. Linz, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2009

Comments

Published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science 121 (2009) 190–196.

Abstract

Wildlife repellents provide a non-lethal alternative for managing the monetary impacts of agricultural depredation. For the purpose of developing of an effective avian repellent, we established repellency thresholds of an anthraquinone-based repellent for Canada geese (Branta canadensis), red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), and ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in captivity. We conducted a concentration–response experiment with Canada geese offered cornseeds treated with six concentrations of Avipel repellent (a.i. 50% 9,10-anthraquinone). Based upon our laboratory efficacy data, we used non-linear regression to predict a threshold concentration of 1450 ppm anthraquinone for geese offered treated corn seeds (i.e., 80% repellency; r² = 0.85, P = 0.009). We also observed a positive concentration–response relationship among red-winged blackbirds offered Avipel-treated rice (r² = 0.70, P = 0.039) and sunflower seeds (r² = 0.84, P = 0.010). We predicted a threshold concentration of 1475 ppm anthraquinone for blackbirds offered treated sunflower seeds. Blackbirds also reliably discriminated between untreated food and rice treated with 2325 ppm anthraquinone (F_1,10 = 3414.05, P< 0.0001) or sunflower treated with 1778 ppm anthraquinone (F_1,10 = 175.39, P< 0.0001). We observed a positive concentration–response relationship among ring-necked pheasants offered corn (r² = 0.95, P = 0.001) and sunflower seeds (r² = 0.99, P< 0.001) treated with Avipel. We predicted a threshold concentration of 10,450 ppm anthraquinone for pheasants offered treated corn seeds. Pheasants also reliably discriminated between untreated food and corn treated with 1900 ppm anthraquinone (F_1,10 = 919.86, P < 0.0001) or hulled sunflower treated with 1140 ppm anthraquinone (F_1,10 = 177.35, P< 0.0001). Avipel seed treatments effectively conditioned avoidance of treated seeds among Canada geese, red-winged blackbirds, and ring-necked pheasants. Our laboratory efficacy data provide a reliable basis for planning future field applications of anthraquinone-based bird repellents for protection of agricultural crops, property, and related natural resources. Supplemental field efficacy studies are necessary for registration of anthraquinone-based repellents for managing agricultural depredation caused by wild birds.