National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)

*New Air Cannon Net Launcher Eliminates Need for Explosives (description & video)

Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), common grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) and brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) cause an estimated $11.5 million of damage to newly planted and ripening rice in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Missouri and Texas. Some individual growers report 100% losses due to bird depredations. Scientists at the National Wildlife Research Center of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services program routinely work with rice producers, rice commodity groups, rice research boards, universities, and local, state and federal agencies to develop safer and more effective methods to reduce bird depredations on seeded and ripening rice and improve profitability for growers. To develop new methods and tools, Center scientists conduct multi-faceted research studies involving the use of both captive and free-ranging birds to determine the status of blackbird populations in the southern rice growing states; estimate the economic impacts of birds on the rice crop; evaluate and develop nonlethal repellents for deterring birds; and improve the effectiveness and safety of avicides for reducing depredating populations.

Contact: Mark E. Tobin
(mark.e.tobin@aphis.usda.gov)
USDA/APHIS/WS/NWRC
4101 LaPorte Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80521
(970) 266-6131

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