We offered sunflower meats, cracked corn acid brown rice to individual
s and small groups (n = 4-5) Of red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeni
ceus), yellow-headed blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) and co
mmon grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) to determine their food preference.
Common grackles (sexes combined) preferred cracked corn over sunflowe
r meats and brown rice. Male and female yellow-headed blackbirds prefe
rred brown rice or a combination of brown rice and cracked corn or sun
flower meats. Female red-winged blackbirds chose brown rice; whereas,
male red-winged blackbirds did not show a consistent food preference.
Either brown rice or a brown rice and cracked corn combination should
be used to bait blackbirds.