Baiting blackbird and starling congregating areas in Kentucky and Tennessee

Four studies were conducted in January 1977-79 in Kentucky and Tennessee. Two of these studies were to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of selectively reducing starlings from mixed blackbird/starling winter roosts by baiting their congregating areas with Starlicide Complete® pellets. The two remaining studies dealt with determining bait preference of starlings and nontarget birds for two formulations of pelleted baits (Layena and corn). Starlicide baitings were fairly selective for starlings, but nontarget hazards were encountered. Starlings showed no significant preference for either type of pelleted bait, but nontargets preferred corn over Layena pellets. Methods are suggested to minimize nontarget hazards from baiting starling congregating areas