FEATHERED FRIENDS OR FOES 



There is no doubL in the minds of most indivldualc, whether gardeners, farmers, or 

 bird watchers, that birds in general are beneficial to mankind. Nearly all species 

 at one time or another are insect or weed-seed eaters; and some subsist entirely 

 on these foods. However, some compete directly with man for food, thereby 

 causing considerable amounts of economic d.image to fruits, small grains, truck 

 crops, and to th ■ livestock and poultry industries. 



In the New England area, bird depredations to agricultural crops generally take 

 place at two distinct times of year. First, great losses occur when tree fruits 

 and berries ripen. Usually at this time damage is also occurring to sweet corn 

 and other garden crops. A second loss occurs during severe winter months when 

 groups of winter resident birds utilize poultry, mink, pheasant, and cattle feed 

 areas to obtain food. Each type of damage, whether occurring in the summer or 

 winter, is iBually a unique problem and may be caused by a variety of birds, 

 depending on surrounding habitat, season of the year, and product involved. 



Little is known as to why agricultural products in this area are apparently 

 receiving more depredations today than ten years ago. Several theories have been 

 advanced: (1) reduction of desirable feeding 1-abitat for birds because of 

 increased building; (2) reduction in numbers of farms, thereby concentrating 

 birds at remaining farm areas; (3) a decrease in available insects that birds 

 normally eat due to the increased use of insecticides; and (4) a population 

 increase in some species of birds. It seems logical to assume that all of these 

 factors have contributed to greater bird depredations during the last few years 

 and that no one factor is responsible for the problem. 



Contrary to what most farmers believe, there are comparatively few bird species 

 causing crop depredations in the New England area. However, these few cause 

 considerable damage each year. VJhen all agricultural crops are considered, the 

 six most troublesome species are: starlings, robins, Baltimore orioles, red- 

 winged blackbirds, grackles, and catbirds. Other bird species are pests at times, 

 but usually only isolated problems involving these species occur. Of the six 

 mentioned, starlings, rod-winged blackbirds, grackles, and Baltimore orioles are 

 in the blackbird group; the remaining three are classified as songbirds. 



Of the species mentioned, only the red-winged blackbird is not a serious depreda- 

 tor of fruit. However, red-winged blackbirds have gained unfavorable reputations 

 because of the amounts of damage that they cause to si-zeet corn plantings. Other 

 truck crops,, for instance peas, squash, onions, may be damaged by birdE--but due 

 to small acreages and other more preferred foods, damage of this sort is minute. 



Bird damage to agricultural crops is difficult to alleviate or prevent. Many of 

 the species involved are protected by Federal and State laws, but even if they 

 were not control would be dif ficult--f or each situation varies according to 

 habitat, species and nui-iibars . Those species that are not protected may be 

 destroyed, but usually they are in such numbers that destruction of a few serves 

 no purpose. Even so, it might prove beneficial if unprotected problem bird species 

 were reduced, if such a reductional progrcun covered a large geographical area. 

 But this type of program cannot be advocated until much more is learned about 

 the habits of the bird species involved. 



