Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

Recent regulatory changes at the federal level have expanded the reach of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956. Now, almost all birds found in North America are classed as Migratory Birds. The only exceptions are the English sparrow starlings, psittacines, and the families of birds covering grouse, pheasants, turkeys, quail, etc. Bird permit requirements are virtually the same; no permit is needed for control of yellow-headed, bicolored or tricolored redwing blackbirds, or for Brewer’s blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, crows and magpies. The special coverage in California in regard to County Agricultural Commissioners states that no permit is necessary to kill meadowlarks, horned larks, crowned sparrows, goldfinches, hose finches, acorn woodpeckers, Lewis woodpeckers, and flickers if this must occur to safeguard any agricultural or horticultural crop. Additional changes and adjustments to federal and state law are explained.