EVALUATION OF LIME AS AN AVIAN FEEDING REPELLENT

We evaluated the effectiveness of dolomitic hydrated lime as a feeding deterrent to captive brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) and Canad a geese (Branta canadensis) during July-September 1995. We conducted 1 - and 2-choice tests using grains with caged cowbirds and geese, and a pplications of lime to turf in dry and slurry form for geese. Lime mix ed with millet or whole-kernel corn at 25, 12.5, and 6.25% (g/g) reduc ed cowbird and goose feeding in 4 day, 2-choice (treated or untreated grain) cage trials. Reductions in total food intake occurred for both species during similar 1-choice tests with lime (25% [g/g]) and millet or corn. Body mass of cowbirds and geese increased or remained consta nt during 2-choice tests. In contrast, body mass declined for both spe cies during 1-choice tests. Application of lime to enclosed 10- x 10-m -grass plots in powder or slurry form at an application rate of 544 kg /ha also reduced goose feeding on treated plots for 2-3 days. Mean num bers of geese and mean fecal mass on control and treated plots were si milar during both turf experiments. No phytotoxicity of grass was obse rved greater than or equal to 40 days posttreatment. We recommend addi tional studies to determine the lower limit of repellency of lime to v arious bird species and its utility for turf and crop damage reduction .