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Exposure of Nontarget Birds to DRC-1339 Avicide in Fall Baited Sunflower Fields

The DRC-1339 is a chemical of national concern. It is used to control nuisance pigeons in urban settings, blackbirds at feedlots, and blackbirds depredating crops.

The DRC-1339 has been recently used in sunflower fields in the Northern Great Plains to control blackbird populations. Potential loss of nontarget migratory birds to DRC-1339 is a serious concern of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

This study will investigate exposure of granivorous nontarget birds to DRC-1339 applied to sunflower fields. The study will determine whether nontarget birds in treated areas exhibit kidney damage, a response associated with the avicide.

The study will also determine whether nontarget birds have DRC-1339 residues in tissue samples or diet.

Results from this study will add to the growing body of information on the effects of this chemical on nontarget birds.

The project was completed in September 2001.

Principal Investigators: Tom Custer and Christine Custer