ANTHRAQUINONE FORMULATION (FLIGHT CONTROL(TM)) SHOWS PROMISE AS AVIANFEEDING REPELLENT

We evaluated the effectiveness of Flight Control(TM) (FC), which conta ins 50% anthraquinone (AQ), as a grazing repellent for Canada geese (B ranta canadensis) and as a seed-treatment repellent for brown-headed c owbirds (Molothrus ater) in northern Ohio in 1997. For the turf test, FC was applied at 4.5 L/ha in 6 18.3- x 30.5-m pens. There were 2.5 ti mes more (P < 0.01) bill contacts/min observed on untreated plots (26. 4 +/- 6.0; (x) over bar +/- SE) compared to treated plots (10.4 +/- 3. 8) during a 7-day test with captive geese. Mean numbers of geese per o bservation were also greater (P = 0.02) on untreated plots (2.6 +/- 0. 4) compared to treated plots (1.4 +/- 0.4). Residue analyses indicated AQ declined from 2.02 kg/ha at application to 0.22 kg/ha after 1 week . Individually caged cowbirds were presented untreated millet or mille t treated with FC at 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0% (g/g) levels in 1- and 2-choice tests for 3-4 days. Flight Control(TM) was repellent to cowbirds at a ll levels in both 1- and 2-choice tests. In the 2-choice test, birds i n the 1.0% treatment level lost body mass (P = 0.04), whereas birds at the other levels did not. Each group of treated birds in the 1-choice test lost mass (P less than or equal to 0.01), whereas the control gr oup did not. Birds in the 0.5 and 1.0% groups ate minimal amounts; 3 o f 12 birds died. We conclude that FC was an effective foraging repelle nt for Canada geese in a 7-day pen experiment and for brown-headed cow birds as a seed repellent in aviary experiments. Flight Control(TM) sh ows promise as an avian feeding repellent. Further lab and field studi es are needed to refine minimum repellent levels and to enhance retent ion of AQ on treated vegetation.