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Location
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Start Date
18-10-1987 12:00 AM
Description
The only EPA-registered chemical for lethal control of winter roosting blackbird (Icterinae) and European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) populations is Compound PA-14 Avian Lethal Agent (PA-14). Between 1978 and 1987, 39 PA-14 spray operations, 15 by helicopter and 24 by ground-based spray systems, have been conducted at 33 winter roosts in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. In-roost bird mortality for the aerial operations have been poor, averaging only 4% of the pretreatment roost populations or 114,000 birds killed per spray operation. Although very labor-intensive, a ground-based sprinkler system application method has proven much more successful, averaging 67% in-roost bird mortality for 17 spray operations or 287,000 birds killed per operation. A much less labor-intensive ground-based spray system using a pivotal water cannon and chemical injector pump is presently being developed and tested. Results of 7 test sprays conducted in 1986 and 1987 showed an average 57% in-roost bird mortality (203,000 birds killed per spray operation) and investigations into the bird control uses and limitations of this system are continuing.
Recommended Citation
Heisterberg, J. F., Stickley, A. R., Garner, K. M., & Foster, P. D. (1987). Controlling blackbirds and starlings at winter roosts using PA-14. In Holler, N. R. (Ed.), The Third Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference (pp. 177-183). Gulf Shores, AL: Auburn University.
Included in
Controlling Blackbirds and Starlings at Winter Roosts using PA-14
Gulf Shores, Alabama
The only EPA-registered chemical for lethal control of winter roosting blackbird (Icterinae) and European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) populations is Compound PA-14 Avian Lethal Agent (PA-14). Between 1978 and 1987, 39 PA-14 spray operations, 15 by helicopter and 24 by ground-based spray systems, have been conducted at 33 winter roosts in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. In-roost bird mortality for the aerial operations have been poor, averaging only 4% of the pretreatment roost populations or 114,000 birds killed per spray operation. Although very labor-intensive, a ground-based sprinkler system application method has proven much more successful, averaging 67% in-roost bird mortality for 17 spray operations or 287,000 birds killed per operation. A much less labor-intensive ground-based spray system using a pivotal water cannon and chemical injector pump is presently being developed and tested. Results of 7 test sprays conducted in 1986 and 1987 showed an average 57% in-roost bird mortality (203,000 birds killed per spray operation) and investigations into the bird control uses and limitations of this system are continuing.