Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

The problems of controlling bird damage, especially to crops, may be both social and practical. The practical problems are subject to environmental and ecological factors. The social problems relate to lack of adequate biological knowledge of the pest species, lack of confidence between farmers and researchers, persistent government red tapes, and human feelings. Damage is often as a result of feeding and nesting activities. Control measures include both prevention of contact between birds and crops by erection of barriers, use of chemical repellents and scaring devices, and attempted reduction in numbers of pest species, by shooting and trapping. None of the control methods is satisfactory. Local farmers have resulted to the use of 'juju' -- a mystified composition of no scientific qualification yet surrounded by lots of taboos and to which huge successes have been ascribed. It is pertinent in our stage of development to encourage and continue detailed biological research of the local fauna.