PREFERENCES OF 3 BLACKBIRD SPECIES FOR SUNFLOWER MEATS, CRACKED CORN AND BROWN RICE

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.