We examined the potential of using conditioned aversion to reduce pred
ation by Common Ravens (Corvus corax) on eggs of the endangered Califo
rnia Least Tern (Sterna antillarum browni). In 1991, we placed Japanes
e quail (Coturnix japonica) eggs injected with 30 mg (active ingredien
t) methiocarb near eight raven nest sites at the U.S. Marine Corps Bas
e, Camp Pendleton, CA. All raven pairs learned to avoid the treated eg
gs within 4-5 days, and at seven sites egg removal was minimal through
out the 4-5 week trial period. Later, we established a simulated Least
Tern colony on the beach, and a pair of ravens that had previously le
arned to avoid quail eggs placed near their nests dominated access to
the site, actively excluded neighboring ravens, and resumed taking qua
il eggs. This response indicated that the previously acquired aversion
was site-related and not transferrable to eggs encountered in a diffe
rent location. From 15 April to 4 June 1992, we placed quail eggs inje
cted with 30 mg methiocarb at three California Least Tern colonies at
Camp Pendleton. Methiocarb-treated eggs were taken by ravens at each l
ocatio, but no tern eggs were lost to ravens. Ravens that nested near
the Least Tern colonies actively defended their territories against in
truding ravens thereby excluding them from the tern colonies as well.
In contrast to 1989-1991, when up to 10 ravens had been removed yearly
for predator control, none was killed in 1992. We conclude that prope
r deployment of eggs treated with methiocarb or a similar aversive age
nt can be a useful, nonlethal means of reducing raven predation at Lea
st Tern colonies.