In a joint program, Innolytics and the USDA National Wildlife Research Center collaborated in the development of nicarbazin as an avian contraceptive, initially for resident Canada geese and subsequently for feral pigeons. Unfortunately, the introduction of the original goose product, OvoControl G, in 2005, was a commercial failure. Political and social barriers as well as goose reproductive biology effectively thwarted attempts to establish the new technology with any meaningful market success. The introduction of the pigeon contraceptive has been less difficult and the new technology continues to gather momentum. Nevertheless, given the focus on instant results and gratification, contraceptive technology for birds – which works over time – continues to be challenging, and broad market acceptance remains elusive. Especially for short-lived and rapidly reproducing species, however, the market continues to replace outdated or ineffective techniques with the safer and more effective contraceptive tools.

Originally developed as a remote trail camera system for monitoring deer, ERS Group of Atlanta, GA has combined the advantages of digital imaging together with cellular telephone technology into a “Smart Scouter™”. By combining a motion and heat sensing digital camera, this system can record movement at the target site and upload the images immediately to both a website and email providing real time monitoring details. We describe the use of the Smart Scouter™ camera system for monitoring pigeon numbers and non-targets feeding at site where OvoControl® P bait was applied, without intervention by technicians. The camera system can augment required monitoring when applying OvoControl® P bait. It is especially useful in remote or hard-to-access areas, and can save time and labor costs.