Abstract
The ability of chemical (Avitrol FC-99), auditory (propane exploders) and visual (hawk-kites) stimuli to reduce bird damage to field corn was compared. In unprotected fields, birds destroyed an average of 1587 kg of grain/ha, reducing yield by 22%. Avitrol FC-99 was the least successful and was not cost-effective. Exploders reduced bird damage by 77% and were the most cost-effective of the 3 techniques, with a cost:benefit ratio of 6.1:1. Hawk-kites reduced bird damage by 83% and had a cost:benefit ratio of 3.5:1. Most of their cost was associated with maintaining the He balloons used to keep the kites aloft.

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