Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

Bird damage to early-ripening Florida blueberries was estimated to be approximately 17% in 1988 (2 sites) and ranged from 17% to 75% in 1989 (3 sites) when a late winter freeze severely reduced expected yield. Monetary loss due to bird damage in 1989 may have exceeded $4500/ac at one site. In Florida, birds appear to have a significant impact on the early-season fresh market blueberry industry. The problem is likely to worsen as the planting of high-value, early-ripening varieties spreads to other parts of the state and ripening times overlap with wintering frugivorous birds.