Title:

Blackbird flock dispersal and abandonment data in response to drone hazing with an avian repellent in sunflower

Author(s):

Duttenhefner, Jessica L.; Greives, Timothy J.; Klug, Page E.

Publication Year:

2024

How to Cite:

These data were collected using funding from the U.S. Government and can be used without additional permissions or fees. If you use these data in a publication, presentation, or other research product please use the following citation:

Duttenhefner, Jessica L.; Greives, Timothy J.; Klug, Page E. 2024. Blackbird flock dispersal and abandonment data in response to drone hazing with an avian repellent in sunflower. Research Dataset Series. USDA, APHIS, WS National Wildlife Research Center. Ft. Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.2737/NWRC-RDS-2024-003

Abstract:

We evaluated the capability of a spraying drone (DJI Agras MG-1P) deploying a repellent (Avian Control®; active ingredient: methyl anthranilate) or water to evoke abandonment, flock reductions, latency to return, and behavioral changes of blackbirds (Icteridae) foraging in sunflower (Helianthus annuus). We flew the spraying drone directly at the flock for hazing, while simultaneously applying the avian repellent (8-minute hazing period). We conducted 15-minute observational periods before and immediately after the hazing period to estimate flock size (number of birds), number of times the flock took flight (tally of lift-offs), and total time flock spent in flight (seconds). We evaluated changes in flight behavior after drone exposure and during the hazing period when flocks were exposed to either a repellent (i.e., methyl anthranilate) or control (i.e., water). This study was implemented between August 2021 through October 2022 in multiple counties in North Dakota, USA where blackbird damage to sunflowers is prevalent. This data publication contains the data and R code used analyze these data.

Keywords:

biota; Ecology, Ecosystems, & Environment; Wildlife (or Fauna); Birds; chemical deterrent; human-wildlife interactions; integrated pest management; IPM; methyl anthranilate; negative stimuli; unmanned aerial vehicle; UAV; North Dakota

Related publications:

• Duttenhefner, Jessica L.; Greives, Timothy J.; Klug, Page E. 2024. Spraying drones: Efficacy of integrating an avian repellent with drone hazing to elicit blackbird flock dispersal and abandonment of sunflower fields. Wildlife Biology. e01333. https://doi.org/10.1002/wlb3.01333

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