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An Overview Of Current Blackbird Research In The Southern Rice Growing Region Of The United States, John L. Cummings, Michael L. Avery

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), common grackles (Quiscalus quiscula), and brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) cause extensive damage to newly planted and ripening rice. The blackbird-rice problem has generated considerable public pressure in states such as Louisiana, Texas, California, Arkansas and Missouri, to find more effective methods of reducing damage caused by blackbirds. USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) works closely with various state rice growers associations and the USDA Wildlife Services (WS) state operational programs to address this high-priority issue. NWRC conducts a multi-faceted research program aimed at resolving blackbird-rice problems. Research focuses on determining …