Why does it seem that one is always reading about Avitrol killing birds other than those intended? The latest incident, in Fort Lee, New Jersey, resulted in the deaths of 30 Common Grackles. Of course, charges won’t be filed for violating the law, because charges are never filed, but it’s nice to dream, isn’t it?
Corey is a New Yorker who lived most of his life in upstate New York but has lived in Queens since 2008. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy and Desmond Shearwater. His bird photographs have appeared on the Today Show, in Birding, Living Bird Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and many other fine publications. He is also the author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New York.
In many states Grackles are fair game because “blackbirds” are considered agricultural pests and there’s no distinction between actual pests like Starlings and species of concern like Rusty Blackbirds and Grackles (whose population is plummeting, down 61% in the last 40 years).
Stupid stupid stupid.
They were killing Great-tailed Grackles at Sheppard Air Force Base. I used to love to watch the Grackles displaying and fornicating while we had to stand at attention listening to the national anthem. My heart was with them, not my country, I must confess.
I read about this far too often. I think local officials are too willing to believe pest control people that such poisons will only affect the target birds. Usually these things come to light when poisoned birds wander into residential or highly-trafficked areas. I wonder how many kills (especially of collateral birds) we don’t hear about.
And Google Adsense decides this is the perfect post to advertise pigeon control products…
Unfortunately, John, you are right about the authorities being pretty easy on pest control companies. I’ve been in the pigeon control business for a long time now and I can’t tell you how many shady competitors I have that care nothing about the bird, and are just out to make a buck. It’s not cool.