Evaluation of Wildlife Food Plots, Repellents, and DRC-1339 "Take Models" for the Management of Blackbirds and Starlings in Sunflower Fields, Feedlots, and Dairies

In the United States, blackbirds and starlings are abundant and widely distributed, with their winter population believed to be between 750 million and 1 billion. The estimated annual damage to grain, fruit, and berry crops from blackbirds and starlings exceeds $150 million in direct costs. Additional costs, not estimated, include those spent to prevent health and safety hazards and those from damage abatement efforts.

Blackbird damage to sunflower: Large flocks of blackbirds congregate in the northern Great Plains from August to October in preparation for a strenuous migration to southern wintering areas. Blackbirds acquire energy for migration by eating agricultural crops, especially sunflower. Red-winged blackbirds, common grackles, and yellow-headed blackbirds cause most of the damage. Sunflower producers in North Dakota and South Dakota annually lose $4-7 million to blackbirds.

Blackbird damage to feedlots: Blackbirds and European starlings also congregate at feedlots hroughout the United States. Damage caused by these birds includes consumption and contamination of feed and disease transmission.

Research under this project will focus on the following:

Project Goal and Objectives
Accomplishments
Publications
Bismarck, ND, Field Station

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