Intentional Poisoning of Birds with Parathion

Abstract
Intentional poisoning of birds by farmers is not uncommon but is rarely documented and given proper attention. Two recent cases from New York [USA] are illustrative. In the 1st, at least 5120 birds, mostly red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), common grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) and brownheaded cowbirds (Molothrus ater) were killed by parathion (an organophosphate insecticide)-treated corn, which was distributed on a truck farm in mid-March. In the 2nd, at least 3196 birds, mostly common grackles, red-winged blackbirds and European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), died after ingesting parathion-treated seed spread near unharvested field corn in late March. A Cooper''s hawk (Accipiter cooperii), 2 red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) and an American kestrel (Falco sparverius) were killed in these cases after consuming poisoned icterids. Small numbers of birds in 6 other species were also killed in these incidents.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: