1. The Role of Contraception in Integrated Pigeon Management (“IPM”) Erick Wolf CEO Innolytics, LLC OvoControl is a trademark of Innolytics, LLC, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
My name is Erick Wolf, CEO of Innolytics in San Diego Innolytics develops contraceptive tools for wildlife, including birds I have roughly 25 slides which will take approximately 40 minutes We have some time for questions afterwards – we might answer some of these as we move through the presentation
This presentation is all about safe sex for birds. We call it planned pigeon-hood.
Some of the biology and behavior is similar (all have feathers and lay eggs, but that is where it stops) Many of the details differ. In other words what you learn about pigeons may not apply to sparrows or starlings – it seems nothing applies to crows Pigeons -- Urban birds – live near people Sex - identical Clutch – 95% of the time 2 egg Breed year round – w/ peak production in spring/fall Cycle repeats up to 6 times a year Productivity is impressive -- 5 mating pairs produce up to 400 birds in 2 years. Pigeons are monogamous – the pair up and stay together for life Pigeons are short lived – they have a life expectancy of 2 to 4 years What do they eat? -- Anything Flocking birds – feed as a group – share food resources with other flocks Pigeons are territorial – not like a raptor, with hard boundaries, but still territorial
TOOLS FOR PIGEON IPM – some apply to other birds as well Site characteristics dependent – no universal tool for every bird at every site. To begin -- Just about everything works short term Falls into two groups – A. EXCLUDE, OR, B. REMOVE EXCLUSION is typically NON-LETHAL ; REMOVAL is typically LETHAL Types: Nets, spikes, electric shock, slopes, etc. In the best case, exclusion moves birds from A to B Frightening techniques Effigies: the famous plastic Owl, and the dreaded “Eye”; AND NOW ROBOTIC HAWK Electronic noisemakers – or for larger applications ( NEXT SLIDE) Pigeons often eventually adapt to harassment and noisemakers and ineffective without integrating other tools Removal techniques are typically lethal (if you release they come back) Trap and euthanize Poisons – Avitrol Exclusion SIMPLY MOVES THE BIRDS AROUND Lethal methods are not very effective long term – population bounces back Now there is a new component for pigeon IPM -- birth control
The active ingredient in OvoControl is not new. It was originally developed by Merck and registered by FDA more than 50 years to control coccidiosis in chickens Pigeon use is new – regulated by EPA The bait – looks like cat food -- kibble sized pellets RUP in urban areas – changing to General Use
Out of the way; rooftops are ideal; if you have worked with Avitrol, you know how to pick these spots No pre-baiting required, although some PMP’s prefer to start with whole corn Start will small quantity to make sure pigeons eat it; conditioning is key Gradually increase bait quantity to 1lb/80 pigeons/day; 5 gr/pigeon/day Generally takes a few days – can take a few weeks, depending on site; Large one –Moultrie is a scatter feeder; works like a fertilizer spreader – will spread in 15 ft diameter circle
First technical question is typically non-targets Hummingbirds to Ostriches HOWEVER, there is no secondary effect to raptors or birds of prey BIRD HAS TO EAT THE BAIT TO HAVE AN EFFECT Keeping non-targets away from bait is 95% baiting strategy Feeding on rooftops is not where the typical non-target bird spends time – other stuff up there: English House sparrows, Starlings, Gull or Crow Ensure appropriate baiting strategy – minimize any exposure and avoid effects
OvoControl is extremely effective – if the bird eats the bait. critical that all birds have access Compound interest – accumulates over time.
Therotical attrition rate is 6%/month – the red line. Data collected is the blue line. Contraceptive technique is ideal with rapidly reproducing pest species, Therefore, rats are better models than deer, And pigeons are more appropriate than owls or parrots that live long lives
Large scope areas including, Transportation hubs Power plants Manufacturing operations Schools and campuses
