Aversions of Starlings and Sparrows to Unfamiliar, Unexpected or Unusual Flavours and Colours in Food

Greig-Smith, P.

doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1987.tb00928.x

Cited by 24 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…For example, quinine sulfate, tannic acid and methiocarb have been found to be aversive in taste to House Sparrows (Greig- Moran, 2001;Clapperton et al, 2012;Day et al, 2012). These treatments may become more effective in combination with visual cues such as colouring seeds with colours that are aversive to House Sparrows (Greig-Smith, 1987;Clapperton et al, 2012). Other methods may decrease ability or preference for House Sparrow feeding including the selective breeding of plant characteristics to reduce feeding (Tipton et al, 1970;Khaleghizadeh, 2011).…”

Section: Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive birds: global trends and impacts

2020

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This 381-paged book covers the biology, ecology, impact and management of 34 common alien invasive species, with reviews on the history and context of avian introductions and invasions in five major regions (Oceania, Africa, Europe (including the Middle East, Asia and South America)), as well as management challenges and the potential of citizen science for monitoring alien birds. The book pitches at the introductory level and is ideal for readers to gain a quick and comprehensive view of the current status of global avian invasions. It has brought the records and research of avian invasion one step ahead of other alien invasive animal taxa. Many chapters contain distribution maps and data tables on the diet and morphology of the species, providing a good reference for the species and its management issues. Each chapter also contains a rich list of references that could help readers dive further into the topic.

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Section: Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive birds: global trends and impacts

2020

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“…For birds that may still consume treated corn seed, standard agronomic practices such as coloring the seed and planting at depth may reduce exposure. Commercially treated seeds, such as clothianidin treated corn, are colored with a dye which previous studies have found may reduce the attractiveness of treated seeds that go undetected by a grower and remain on the surface after planting ( Pank, 1976 ; Greig-Smith, 1987 ). Further, corn seeds are planted at depth (typically 38–51 mm below the soil surface to maximize root development) and therefore only seeds not appropriately planted (drilled) by equipment or spilled during loading of equipment and not cleaned up are expected to be available on the surface for consumption by birds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Field evaluation of the potential for avian exposure to clothianidin following the planting of clothianidin-treated corn seed

McGee

Åslund

Duca

et al. 2018

PeerJ

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The objective of this study was to quantify consumption of clothianidin-treated corn seed by birds following standard planting practices. Based on post-planting seed counts on 21 fields in southwestern Ontario, Canada, between 29 and 813 seeds/ha (mean of 224 ± 167 (SD)) were estimated to remain on the soil surface immediately post planting (i.e., less than one seed per 10 m2). This represents between 0.03 and 1.2% of the total sown seeds. The number of seeds missing on each field on the third day after planting as a result of any process (e.g., removal by foraging birds or mammals or burial as a result of heavy rains) ranged from 0 to 136 seeds/ha (0 to 0.0136 seeds/m2). Behavior monitoring of individual birds and 24 h remote video surveillance were deployed to investigate how much of the treated seed remaining on the soil surface was consumed by birds. Spotting scopes were used to monitor the full duration of the field visits of 596 individual birds during morning hours for three consecutive days after planting on the 21 fields. Two birds were observed consuming treated seeds (one seed each) and three birds consumed seeds for which the treatment status could not be visually confirmed. Additionally, constant (24 h) video surveillance for 2–4 days immediately after planting was deployed at 24 areas where multiple treated seeds were found on the soil surface. Across 1,380 h of collected video footage (including both day and night periods), no birds were observed to consume any treated seeds. This study provides field evidence of two factors that determine exposure of birds to clothianidin-treated corn seeds: (1) standard sowing practices in Ontario are effective at burying treated seeds such that the proportion of sown seeds that remain on the soil surface after planting is low, and (2) birds monitored on these fields consumed very few of the clothianidin-treated corn seeds remaining on the soil surface after planting. As these results are dependent on planting techniques and seed characteristics, they are not necessarily applicable to other types of clothianidin treated seed.

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“…The effects of several repellents on the feeding behaviour of house sparrows have been investigated previously. Sparrows avoid familiar or novel food sources treated with chemicals reported as primary repellents, such as quinine sulfate, tannic acid, Optamint, d‐pulegone and cinnamamide 29, 30, 33, 34. They also assess foods on the basis of visual cues, avoiding black or blue food, and preferring to eat red, yellow or white foods 3, 21, 26.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%