Indirect assessment of avian damage to agriculture.

Published online
01 Jan 1983
Content type
Journal article
Journal title
Journal of Applied Ecology
DOI
10.2307/2403281

Author(s)
Weatherhead, P. J. & Tinker, S. & Greenwood, H.

Publication language
English
Location
Canada & Quebec

Abstract

Estimates of damage to maize by individual red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were derived from energetics and life history information and independently using captive birds. Combining these estimates with a breeding season population census of red-winged blackbirds in the agricultural zone of Quebec produced similar regional damage estimates. Energetics estimates of damage of 0.41% of total production were consistent with damage sampling in 9 other regions (range 0.25-0.80%). The energetics estimate of damage of $ 279 357 damage was well below a 1975 estimate of $ 16 470 000. The speed, economy and apparent reliability with which indirect assessments can be made once the baseline data have been collected suggests this approach as a valuable tool in avian pest management.

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