To catch a starling: testing the effectiveness of different trap and lure types
S. Campbell A F , S. Cook B , L. Mortimer B C , G. Palmer B , R. Sinclair D and A. P. Woolnough A E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Vertebrate Pest Research Section, Department of Agriculture and Food, 100 Bougainvillea Avenue, Forrestfield, WA 6058, Australia.
B Centre for Environmental Management, School of Science, Information Technology and Engineering, University of Ballarat, University Drive, Mt Helen, Vic. 3353, Australia.
C Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board, PO Box 181, Streaky Bay, SA 5680, Australia.
D NRM Biosecurity Unit, Biosecurity SA, GPO Box 1671, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
E Present address: Invasive Plants and Animals Branch, Biosecurity Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, Melbourne, Vic. 3000, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: scampbell@agric.wa.gov.au
Wildlife Research 39(3) 183-191 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR11115
Submitted: 7 July 2011 Accepted: 7 January 2012 Published: 5 April 2012
Abstract
Context: Worldwide, invasive fauna species present one of the most intractable problems for agriculture and natural systems. Our ability to improve control techniques to combat the global invasive species predicament is constrained within the bounds of both economic and ethical considerations. In south-eastern Australia, the common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is an established invasive avian pest that is now making incursions into areas of Western Australia (WA) that are currently free of this species. The most cost-effective and widely implemented starling control tool is trapping with live-lure birds. In recent years, the use of live-lure birds has been questioned on both economic and ethical grounds, and consequently alternative lure methods need investigating.
Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of different trap and lure combinations for the capture of starlings in western South Australia (SA).
Methods: Modified Australian Crow (MAC) traps, used traditionally in WA to trap starlings, and Myna traps, originally designed for trapping common mynas (Sturnus tristis), were set during the peaks in starling flocking activity (Austral summer, 2007) using three different lure types: (1) live lure (live starlings); (2) moving water; and (3) acoustic lures. A trapping grid consisting of a single Myna trap with live lure and three MAC traps, each with one type of lure (live, water or acoustic) was established at five sites on the Eyre Peninsula in SA and monitored twice daily for 28 days.
Key results: Live lures were significantly more effective at attracting starlings into traps compared with both water and sound lures. We also trapped at an additional three sites and showed that Myna traps caught ~1.5 times more starlings than MAC traps when both traps were fitted with live-lure birds.
Conclusions: Neither moving water nor acoustic play-back lures proved suitable replacements for the use of live-lure birds to capture starlings. The efficacy of alternative lure types may depend on several factors and may include neophobic response(s) to novel signals and also the length of time that an invasive population has been established.
Implications: We recommend that use of live lures is continued in ongoing starling control programs, and that MAC traps currently in use be modified to capitalise on known starling behaviour. Further research and development of traps that do not contain live lures will improve the welfare of invasive species control programs.
References
ACIL (2006). Starlings in Western Australia: Assessing the likely cost of an incursion. Final Report, prepared for the Invasive Animals CRC, ACIL Tasman, December 2006.ANZCCART (2001). Euthanasia of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes (ed. J Reilly) 2nd edition.
Asher, L., and Bateson, M. (2008). Use and husbandary of captive European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in scientific research: a review of current practice. Laboratory Animals 42, 111–126.
| Use and husbandary of captive European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in scientific research: a review of current practice.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXmsVWrs7c%3D&md5=3f46670852fa645a500cd30e3236717cCAS |
Barrett, G., Silcocks, A., Barry, S., Cunningham, R., and Poulter, R. (2003). ‘The New Atlas of Australian Birds.’ (RAOU: Melbourne.)
Besser, J. F., Willis, C. R., and Degrazio, J. W. (1967). Baiting starlings with DRC-1339 at a cattle feedlot. The Journal of Wildlife Management 31, 48–51.
| Baiting starlings with DRC-1339 at a cattle feedlot.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bester, M. N., Bloomer, J. P., Van Aarde, R. J., Erasmus, B. H., Van Rensburg, P. J. J., Skinner, J. D., Howell, P. G., and Naude, T. W. (2002). A review of the successful eradication of feral cats from sub-Antarctic Marion Island, Southern Indian Ocean. South African Journal of Wildlife Research 32, 65–73.
Bishop, J., McKay, H., Parrott. D., and Allan, J. (2003). Review of international research literature regarding the effectiveness of auditory bird scaring techniques and potential alternatives. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), London, UK. Available at http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/noise/research/birdscaring/birdscaring.pdf [Verified 12 April 2010.]
Bolivar, V. J., and Flaherty, L. (2004). Genetic control of novel food preference in mice. Mammalian Genome 15, 193–198.
| Genetic control of novel food preference in mice.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXitVOhsrw%3D&md5=15735f2a382811ac035a9fd48cf13058CAS |
Bomford, M. (1990). Ineffectiveness of a sonic device for deterring starlings. Wildlife Society Bulletin 18, 151–156.
Bomford, M., and Sinclair, R. G. (2002). Australian research on bird pests: impact, management and future directions. Emu 102, 29–45.
Brough, T. (1969). The dispersal of starlings from woodland roosts and the use of bio-acoustics. Journal of Applied Ecology 6, 403–410.
| The dispersal of starlings from woodland roosts and the use of bio-acoustics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Clergeau, P. (1990). Flocking behaviour of Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) during the day: a gradual gathering to the roost. Journal fur Ornithologie 131, 458–460.
| Flocking behaviour of Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) during the day: a gradual gathering to the roost.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Conklin, J. S., Delwiche, M. J., Gorenzel, W. P., and Coates, R. W. (2009). Deterring cliff-swallow nesting on high-way structures using bioacoustics and surface modifications. Human–Wildlife Conflicts 3, 93–102.
Conover, M. R. (1982). Behavioural techniques to reduce bird damage to blueberries: methiocarb and a hawk-kite predator model. Wildlife Society Bulletin 10, 211–216.
Conover, M. R., and Dolbeer, R. A. (2007). Use of decoy traps to protect blueberries from juvenile European starlings. Human–Wildlife Conflicts 2, 265–270.
Corkum, L. D., and Belanger, R. M. (2007). Use of chemical communication in the management of freshwater aquatic species that are vectors of human diseases or are invasive. General and Comparative Endocrinology 153, 401–417.
| Use of chemical communication in the management of freshwater aquatic species that are vectors of human diseases or are invasive.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXotlShtrs%3D&md5=61d6438498204255f1ca81a1ac3596e2CAS |
Dexter, N. (1996). The effect of an intensive shooting exercise from a helicopter on the behaviour of surviving feral pigs. Wildlife Research 23, 435–441.
| The effect of an intensive shooting exercise from a helicopter on the behaviour of surviving feral pigs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Eisemann, J. E., Linz, G. M., and Johnston, J. J. (2000). Non-target hazard assessment of using DRC-1339 avicide to manage blackbirds in sunflowers. In ‘Pesticides in Wildlife’ (Ed. J. J. Johnson.) pp. 197–211. American Chemical Society Symposium Series 771. (American Chemical Society: Washington, D. C.)
El-Sayed, A. M., Suckling, D. M., Byers, J. A., Jang, E. B., and Wearing, C. H. (2009). Potential of ‘lure and kill’ in long-term pest management and eradication of invasive species. Journal of Economic Entomology 102, 815–835.
| Potential of ‘lure and kill’ in long-term pest management and eradication of invasive species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXnslWlsbk%3D&md5=16a194978b240b2d736881e054d151f6CAS |
Evans, D. M., and Day, K. R. (2001). Does shooting disturbance affect diving ducks wintering on large shallow lakes? A case study on Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland. Biological Conservation 98, 315–323.
| Does shooting disturbance affect diving ducks wintering on large shallow lakes? A case study on Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Feare, C. J. (1984). ‘The Starling.’ (Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK.)
Feare, C. J., and Douville de Franssu, P. (1992). The starling in Europe: multiple approaches to a problem species. In ‘Proceedings of the 14th Vertebrate Pest Conference’. (Eds J. E. Borrecco and R. E. Marsh.) pp. 83-88. (University of California: Davis, CA.)
Fukuda, Y., Frampton, C. M., and Hickling, G. J. (2008). Evaluation of two visual birdscarers, the Peaceful Pyramid® and an eye-spot balloon, in two vineyards. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 35, 217–224.
| Evaluation of two visual birdscarers, the Peaceful Pyramid® and an eye-spot balloon, in two vineyards.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Griffin, A. S., and Boyce, H. M. (2009). Indian mynahs, Acridotheres tristis, learn about dangerous places by observing the fate of others. Animal Behaviour 78, 79–84.
| Indian mynahs, Acridotheres tristis, learn about dangerous places by observing the fate of others.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Heinrich, B. (1988). Why do ravens fear their food? The Condor 90, 950–952.
| Why do ravens fear their food?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hernandez, F., Harveson, L. A., and Brewer, C. E. (2006). A comparison of trapping techniques for Montezuma Quail. Wildlife Society Bulletin 34, 1212–1215.
| A comparison of trapping techniques for Montezuma Quail.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
James, C. D., Landsberg, J., and Morton, S. R. (1999). Provision of watering points in the Australian arid zone: a review of effects on biota. Journal of Arid Environments 41, 87–121.
Johnson, R. J. (2000). Management of pest birds in urban environments. Other publications in Wildlife Management. University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
Johnson, R. R., Brown, B. T., Haight, L. T., and Simpson, J. M. (1981). Playback recordings as a special avian censusing technique. Studies in Avian Biology 6, 68–75.
Johnson, N. S., Yun, S.-S., Thompson, H. T., Brant, C. O., and Weiming, L. (2009). A synthesised pheromone induces upstream movement in female sea lamprey and summons them into traps. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 106, 1021–1026.
| A synthesised pheromone induces upstream movement in female sea lamprey and summons them into traps.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhsFyjtb4%3D&md5=fcd94bec3a33388b58a21da054cd0d9fCAS |
King, C. M., McDonald, R. M., Martin, R. D., and Dennis, T. (2009). Why is eradication of invasive mustelids so difficult? Biological Conservation 142, 806–816.
| Why is eradication of invasive mustelids so difficult?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kirkpatrick, W., Payne, R., and Woolnough, A. P. (2007). Captive starling management. Report on the management of common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) kept in aviaries at Eucla and Esperance, Western Australia. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, Perth.
Kolar, C. S., and Lodge, D. M. (2001). Progress in invasion biology: predicting invaders. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 16, 199–204.
LaFleur, N. E., Rubega, M. A., and Elphick, C. S. (2007). Invasive fruits, novel foods, and choice: an investigation of European starling and American robin frugivory. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 119, 429–438.
| Invasive fruits, novel foods, and choice: an investigation of European starling and American robin frugivory.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lazarus, J., and Symonds, M. (1992). Contrasting effects of protective and obstructive cover on avian vigilance. Animal Behaviour 43, 519–521.
Lee, K. A., Martin, L. B. I. I., and Wikelski, M. C. (2005). Responding to inflammatory challenges is less costly for a successful avian invader, the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), than its less-invasive congener. Oecologia 145, 243–250.
| Responding to inflammatory challenges is less costly for a successful avian invader, the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), than its less-invasive congener.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Littrel, E. E. (1990). Effects of field vertebrate pest control on non-target wildlife (with emphasis on bird and rodent control). In ‘Proceedings of the 14th Vertebrate Pest Conference’. (Eds L. R. Davis and R. E. Marsh.) pp. 59–61. (University of California: Davis, CA.)
Long, J. L., and Mawson, P. R. (1990). Evaluation of some scaring devices for preventing damage by parrots to cultivated fruit. Agriculture Protection Board of Western Australia Technical Series No. 5. CSIRO, Perth.
Madsen, J. (2001). Can geese adjust their clocks? Effects of diurnal regulation of goose shooting. Wildlife Biology 7, 213–222.
Marion, W. R., O’Meara, T. E., and Maehr, D. S. (1981). Use of playback recordings in sampling elusive or secretive birds. Studies in Avian Biology 6, 81–85.
Martin, L. B., and Fitzgerald, L. (2005). A taste for novelty in invading house sparrows, Passer domesticus. Behavioral Ecology 16, 702–707.
| A taste for novelty in invading house sparrows, Passer domesticus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mettke-Hofmann, C., Winkler, H., and Leisler, B. (2002). The significance of ecological factors for exploration and neophobia in Parrots. Ethology 108, 249–272.
| The significance of ecological factors for exploration and neophobia in Parrots.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Minvielle, F., Mills, A. D., Faure, J. M., Monvoisin, J. L., and Gourichon, D. (2002). Fearfulness and performance related traits in selected lines of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Poultry Science 81, 321–326.
| 1:STN:280:DC%2BD387ntVOquw%3D%3D&md5=357b34276b68b1702038620a6ccfdb24CAS |
Moran, S. (1991). Control of hooded crows by modified Australian traps. Phytoparasitica 19, 95–101.
| Control of hooded crows by modified Australian traps.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nesbitt, S. A., Harris, B. A., Repenning, R. W., and Brownsmith, B. (1982). Notes on red-cockaded woodpecker study techniques. Wildlife Society Bulletin 10, 160–163.
Parkins, A. (2003). ‘Indian Myna Handbook: Information on Indian Mynas.’ (Indian Myna Control Program, Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority: Paterson, NSW.)
Perrings, C., Williamson, M., Barbier, E. B., Delfino, D., Dalmazzone, S., Shogren, J., Simmons, P., and Watkinson, A. (2002). Biological invasion risks and the public good: an economic perspective. Conservation Ecology 6, 1.
Pimentel, D., Lach, L., Zoniga, R., and Morrison, D. (2000). Environmental and economic costs of nonindigenous species in the United Sates. BioScience 50, 53–65.
| Environmental and economic costs of nonindigenous species in the United Sates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Powell, G. V. N. (1974). Experimental analysis of the social value of flocking by starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in relation to predation and foraging. Animal Behaviour 22, 501–505.
| Experimental analysis of the social value of flocking by starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in relation to predation and foraging.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ralph, C. J., and Scott, J. M. (Eds) (1981). ‘Estimating Numbers of Terrestrial Birds.’ (The Blackburn Press: Caldwell, NJ.)
Rollins, L.-A., Woolnough, A. P., Wilton, A. N., Sinclair, R., and Sherwin, W. B. (2009). Invasive species can’t cover their tracks: using microsatellites to assist management of starling (Sturnus vulgaris) populations in Western Australia. Molecular Ecology 18, 1560–1573.
| Invasive species can’t cover their tracks: using microsatellites to assist management of starling (Sturnus vulgaris) populations in Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Roy, S. S., Macleod, I., and Moore, N. P. (2006). The use of scent glands to improve the efficiency of mink (Mustela vison) captures in the Outer Hebrides. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 33, 267–271.
| The use of scent glands to improve the efficiency of mink (Mustela vison) captures in the Outer Hebrides.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sayre, R. W., and Clark, L. (2001). Effect of primary and secondary repellents on European starlings: an initial assessment. The Journal of Wildlife Management 65, 461–469.
| Effect of primary and secondary repellents on European starlings: an initial assessment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schaffer, E. W. Jnr (1984). Potential primary and secondary hazards of avicides. In ‘Proceedings of the 11th Vertebrate Pest Conference’. (Ed. D. O. Clark) pp. 217–222. (University of California: Davis, CA.)
Sharp, T., and Tracey J. (2002). ‘Trapping of Birds.’ (NSW Department of Primary Industries: Sydney.)
Shivik, J. A., Wright, W. G., and Clark, L. (2000). Seasonal variability in brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) response to lures. Canadian Journal of Zoology 78, 79–84.
Sinclair, R., Dall, D., Lapidge, S., and Bentz, T. (2008). Failure to lure starlings onto free-feed bait before the incorporation of DRC1339 at a piggery in South Australia. In ‘Proceedings of the International Invasive Bird Conference, Fremantle, Western Australia’. (Eds A. Woolnough, C. Feare and G. Meier.) p. 69.
Sol, D., Timmermans, S., and Lefebvre, L. (2002). Behavioural flexibility and invasion success in birds. Animal Behaviour 63, 495–502.
| Behavioural flexibility and invasion success in birds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Spurr, E. B., Ragg, J. R., O’Connor, C. E., Hamilton, W. J., Moller, H., Woodhouse, A. D., Morse, C. W., Morriss, G. A., Arnold, G. C., and Clapperton, B. K. (2004). Effect of concentration of anal gland scent lures on the capture rate of ferrets (Mustela furo) in winter and spring. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 31, 227–232.
| Effect of concentration of anal gland scent lures on the capture rate of ferrets (Mustela furo) in winter and spring.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Thomas, G. J. (1972). A review of gull damage and management methods at nature reserves. Biological Conservation 4, 117–127.
| A review of gull damage and management methods at nature reserves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tidemann, C. (2005). Indian mynas – can the problems be controlled? In ‘Urban Animal Management Conference Proceedings’. (Ed. M. Hayward) pp. 55–57. (UAM: Canberra.)
Tidemann, C. R., and King, D. H. (2009). ‘Practicality and humaneness of euthanasia of pest birds with compressed carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) from petrol engine exhaust. Wildlife Research 36, 522–527.
| ‘Practicality and humaneness of euthanasia of pest birds with compressed carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) from petrol engine exhaust.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhtFyqtrvF&md5=ef9a4b99175f824f716b3fea3bbb1e18CAS |
Todd, J. H., Waas, J. R., and O’Connor, C. E. (2000). Do brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecular) show preferences for exogenous odours associated with food? New Zealand Journal of Zoology 27, 49–55.
| Do brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecular) show preferences for exogenous odours associated with food?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tracey, J., Bomford, M., Hart, Q., Saunders, G., and Sinclair, R. (2007) ‘Managing Bird Damage to Fruit and Other Horticultural Crops.
Troetschler, R. G. (1971). ‘Acorn Woodpecker Breeding Strategy in the Face of Starling Nest-hole Competition.’ (Cooper Ornithological Society Annual Meeting: San Diego, CA.)
Vice, D. S., Engeman, R. M., and Vice, D. L. (2005). A comparison of three trap designs for capturing brown treesnakes on Guam. Wildlife Research 32, 355–359.
| A comparison of three trap designs for capturing brown treesnakes on Guam.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ward, P., and Zahavi, A. (1973). The importance of certain assemblages of birds as ‘information-centers’ for food-finding. The Ibis 115, 517–534.
| The importance of certain assemblages of birds as ‘information-centers’ for food-finding.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Weatherhead, P. J., and Greenwood, H. (1981). Age and condition of decoy-trapped birds. Journal of Field Ornithology 52, 10–15.
Weatherhead, P. J., Greenwood, H., Tinker, S. A., and Bider, J. R. (1980). Decoy traps and the control of blackbird populations. Phytoprotection 6, 65–71.
Westphal, M. I., Browne, M., MacKinnon, K., and Noble, I. (2008). The link between international trade and the global distribution of invasive alien species. Biological Invasions 10, 391–398.
Williams, R. E., and Schwab, R. G. (1973). Tests of potential methods for decoying starlings to bait stations. In ‘Bird Control Seminar Proceedings, Vol. 6’. (Eds. H. N. Cones and W. B. Jackson.) pp. 164–168. (University of Nebraska: Lincoln, Nebraska.)
Woodbury, C.J. (1961). Local control of crows by trapping. Journal of Agriculture 2, 1–4.
Woolnough, A., Massam, M., Payne, R., and Pickles, G. (2005). Out on the border: keeping starlings out of Western Australia. In ‘Proceedings of the 13th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference’. (Ed. J. Parkes.), pp. 183–189. (Manaaki Whenua Press: Lincoln, NZ.)
