Study

Failure of methiocarb to produce conditioned taste aversion in carrion crows consuming little tern eggs

  • Published source details Catry T. & Granadeiro J.P. (2006) Failure of methiocarb to produce conditioned taste aversion in carrion crows consuming little tern eggs. Waterbirds, 29, 211-214.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use aversive conditioning to reduce nest predation by avian predators

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. Use aversive conditioning to reduce nest predation by avian predators

    A controlled before-and-after study in a least tern Sterna albifrons colony in west Portugal (Catry & Granadeiro 2006)  found that 15 artificial nests containing methiocarb (an illness-inducing chemical) treated quails’ eggs were predated by carrion crows Corvus corone at the same rate as 15 artificial nests containing untreated quails’ eggs. During pre-treatment (no eggs treated), first treatment phase (six days with treated eggs in experimental nests and untreated eggs in control nests) and second treatment phase (a further eight days of treatment) all eggs were destroyed within 24 hours of placement, although many treated eggs were not consumed following removal.

     

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