The use of artifical perches to increase predation on house mice (mus domesticus) by raptors

Abstract

Changes in raptor and mouse abundance over time in response to the introduction of artificial perches for raptors were analysed using generalised linear models. The placement of artificial perches around the perimeter of irrigated soybean crops significantly increased the number of diurnal raptors visiting and hunting over these crops compared with untreated crops. This increased hunting pressure reduced (a) the rate at which the mouse population increased in the crops and (b) the maximum mouse population density. These effects were greater when artificial perches were placed at 100-m spacings rather than 200-m spacings. No significant reductions in mouse damage were detected as mice failed to reach threshold densities for crop damage on the untreated plots. Despite this, the use of artificial perches to attract birds of prey may be a useful addition to rodent management strategies.