Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

New Zealand horticulturists are experiencing increasing damage to a variety of crops from a number of introduced bird species. With the advent of the increasing problem there is a need for carefully planned control operations most of which, by necessity, will be carried out by the growers themselves. This means that a variety of baits and toxins is currently being evaluated for control purposes. Growers are being trained in the use of those toxins as well as how to get more effective use from a range of bird-scare devices. Control agencies continue to carry out control of certain bird species and monitor bird damage where possible.