United States Department of Agriculture 
Eureau of Biological Survey 
lildlife Research and Management Leaflet BS-96 
Washington, D. C. * November 1937 | 
BLACKBIRDS AND THE RICE CROP ON TF2 GULF COAST 
By E. Re KATMBACH, Senior Biologist 
Section of Food Habits, Division of’ Wildlife Research 
Contents 
“Page Page 
Introduction. 6 saree: ER ein ie, «6 alt Control by snooting a) eCerea a, 4 
Mirae CtCK ss » tne «.5 8 it Barly Prolific rice escapes 
Varied extent of damage... 2 GAMA SO. <aye ve cok eee Se ee 
Memidiomine flocs. is « » « 6 2 Karly seeding of Blue Rose not 
Legal status of blackbirds. . 2 AdvisabLe..c« si <4 <2 see ee 
ntroduction 
Blackbirds have been a source of trouble to rice growers of the Gulf 
Coast of Louisiana and Texas ever since that grain was introduced into the 
soutnern prairie region. Damage is inflicted in spring, when the sprouting 
grain attracts the birds; in midsummer, when the crop is in the "milk" or 
"dough" stage; and at harvest, wnen the shocked grain may be attacked not only 
by the resident red—-winged blackbirds, the principal offenders, but also by 
the larger boat-tailed grackles, or "jackdaws", and, if the crop is late, 
by migratory blackbirds from northern States. 
Area Affected 
Some years ago a thorough study was made of this problem, particularly 
to learn what measures could be adopted to lessen the annual losses. The 
survey revealed interesting facts. In the first place, the area of severe 
is a narrow one, being the southern edge of the rice district that borders on 
the extensive marshes lying along the Gulf const. In some instances this zone 
of severe damage may comprise a single tier of fields adjacent to the marsh. 
Three or four miles from the borderline severe damage is of irregular oc- 
currence, depending largely on the presence of trees or sloughs that attract 
the birds. In the central and northern parts of the rice belt, where the land 
has been longer under cultivation, and where most marshy areas attractive to 
blackbirds have been drained, noticeable damage to the rice crop is seldom 
experienced. Control measures thus are only locally required. 
