>Sender: The scientific discussion of Ornithology
> <ORNITH-L at UAFSYSB.UARK.EDU>
>From: MICHAEL MARSH <MARSH.MICHAEL at EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV>
>Subject: Starlings-pests
>To: Multiple recipients of list ORNITH-L <ORNITH-L at UAFSYSB.UARK.EDU>
>
>Ecolog-L readers; Ornith-L readers:
>
>I said I would post a digest of responses to my request (in July, 96) for
>suggestions on IPM methods for controlling starling populations. The
>following suggested methods were proposed. I have posted Komar's
>message in full because of the insights on starling biology and behavior
>that he offers.
>
>Some references are forthcoming in another message.
>Mike Marsh
><marsh.michael at epamail.epa.gov>
>
>
>------------------------------
>From: Nicholas Komar <nkomar at hsph.harvard.edu>
>
>I have been studying starling roosting behavior in relation to their
>potential as reservoir hosts of human diseases, in particular eastern
>equine encephalitis virus. Massive communal roosting of starlings (in
>Massachusetts, anyway) begins quite early in the summer, around the
>beginning of June. Most of these birds are juveniles. Presumably, the
>adults remain on their widely dispersed breeding territories to raise
>subsequent broods. Thus, perhaps the nocturnal roost site may be a
>target for population reducing measures in the early summer.
>
>In rural areas of Massachusetts, the preferred roosting substrate is
>phragmites reeds in marshy areas. Individual starlings are well known to
> switch roost sites from time to time (references provided upon request),
> usually going from one phragmites patch to another, some miles away.
>Thus, one method to displace a nocturnal roost site would be to use
>scare tactics to disperse birds from one or more roost sites until a
>desireable phragmites patch is utilized by the uprooted birds. Towards
>this purpose, a "man-made" phragmites patch can be created far away
>from residences that might be disturbed by the birds. This method alone
>does not reduce populations, and the birds will return to their preferred
>feeding sites daily. However, once at the desireable phragmites patch,
>intervention methods may be employed (non-toxic, of course). One
>method would be the repeated use of a cannon net (although this might
>simply scare the birds away again). Perhaps simpler, more efficient but
>a bit more cumbersome would be the construction of a "floodlight trap".
>This method was used very successfully for killing thousands of
>pestiferous blackbirds half a century ago (in one night!). A three-walled
>hut is built at the edge of the roosting site. After dark, a floodlight
>inside
>the hut is turned on, and the starlings are roused from their perches.
>Apparently, they will fly en masse toward the light in the hut. Workers
>then trap them in the hut and then process them accordingly. I have an
>old reference to this technique somewhere in my files.
>
>
>From: Paul D. Curtis <pdc1 at cornell.edu>
>Extension Wildlife Specialist
>Cornell University
>
>The only practical long-term solution is to exclude birds from buildings
>where they cause problems. This is VERY difficult in dairy operations,
>particularly in barns with movable walls for ventilation.
>
>For warehouses and grain-storage buildings, birds can be excluded with
>persistance. All windows and other ventilation openings must be
>screened. Doors should be covered with plastic strips that form a solid
>wall from the top of the frame to ground level. This allows easy access
>for people and equipment, but forms a bird-proof barrier. These type of
>doors are often used in zoo aviaries where there is high traffic.
>
>Good sanitation is essential. Spilled grain from torn sacks should be
>cleaned up immediately. This is also important from the standpoint of
>rodent management.
>
>Where possible, netting or porcupine wire should be used to limit nesting
>access. New buildings should be designed to reduce bird and rodent
>problems. Wildlife biologists need to be consulting with engineers during
>the design phase, rather than trying to fix problems later.
>
>
>From: S Hill <shill at wcnet.org>
>
>I use to live in Huntsville, Alabama and I remember they sprayed the
>birds with some sort of detergent in the evening... this caused them to
>freeze to death I believe, and then the dead birds were removed from the
> ground. It was a nasty job, but it did solve the problem. Perhaps if you
>call Huntsville... maybe the mayors office or health department...hmmm...
>they could give you more info.
>---------------------------------

Dennis Paulson, Director phone 206-756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax 206-756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416