Monk parakeet nests built in electrical substations often cause 

 power outages that result in loss of service and expensive 

 repairs. (NWRC photo by M. L Avery.) 



Diazacon, a cholesterol-inhibiting compound, is used for 

 reproductive control in monk parakeets. Birds fed diazacon- 

 treated bait produce nonviable eggs. 



Researchers at NWRC's field station in Gainesville, 

 FL, conduct research to resolve problems caused by 

 vultures, crows, and other species of overabundant 

 birds. This research facility is a uniquely designed, 

 26-acre site with large outdoor flight pens and 

 aviaries that allow bird research to be conducted 

 throughout the year under natural environmental 

 conditions. 



diazacon-treated sunflower seeds; at other sites, 

 no treated bait was offered. The treated bait was 

 presented for 10 days, and visits to the bait stations 

 by parakeets were documented with motion- 

 activated digital cameras. Then, 7-8 weeks later, 

 nests at treated and untreated substations were 

 removed, and the numbers of eggs and nestlings 

 were recorded. 



Diazacon Used To Reduce Monk Parakeet 

 Reproduction — The monk parakeet, which is 

 native to South America, constructs its nest of 

 sticks and branches and maintains it throughout 

 the year. Unfortunately, parakeets often build their 

 bulky nests in electrical substations and other 

 utility structures. In close proximity to energized 

 equipment, nest material or the birds can create 

 short circuits and produce power outages. This 

 problem has been troublesome for electric utility 

 companies in Florida and other parts of the United 

 States for more than 20 years. To help address this 

 problem, NWRC biologists are investigating ways to 

 slow the growth of the monk parakeet population. 

 Reproductive control using the chemical diazacon, 

 a cholinesterase-inhibiting compound, is one 

 approach that shows promise. 



In collaboration with a south Florida utility company, 

 NWRC biologists established bait stations at several 

 electrical substations where monk parakeets were 

 nesting. At some sites, the bait stations contained 



Nest examinations revealed that average 

 productivity at the treated sites was 0.65 nestlings/ 

 nest, compared to 3.07 nestlings/nest at untreated 

 sites. These numbers indicate a 79-percent 

 reduction due to the treatment and are consistent 

 with results obtained in 2006. 



NWRC research at test sites has shown that reproductive 

 success of monk parakeets can go down by 80 percent if they 

 ingest diazacon-treated sunflower seeds. (NWRC photo by 

 M. R Milleson.) 



34 Developing Methods 



