Starling abatement program underway

Published: Monday, March 15, 2010 11:00 PM CDT

Grand Island residents may find dead starlings in yards and streets in the coming days.

The city hired the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reduce the overpopulation of birds by poisoning feed at their roosting site. The treatment started Monday.

The USDA is using DRC-133, a chemical that is starling specific. The chemical is not expected to harm any other species.

The targeted starling should died within 24 to 36 hours of consuming the treated feed and will often be found at the roost site.

Residents who find a dead starling on their private property should use a glove or bag to pick up the bird and dispose of it in their trash containers.

Residents who are physically unable to dispose of the birds may call City Hall at 385-5444 ext.140 to make arrangements for cleanup. The city will only offer assistance to residents who are incapable of the collection and disposal of the birds.

Many residents have expressed concerns of noise and filth from the birds, but the greatest concern is the health nuisance caused from the bird droppings. Starlings can spread salmonella, E. coli, perpetuate a fungus soil known as Histoplasmosis, as well as West Nile, according to the Central District Health Department.

The City of Grand Island started addressing the starling problem with annual treatments in 2005. It is the only known successful treatment option for starlings.

The use of the chemical on feed is only effective during the winter months when large flocks consistently feed in one location.

"Nature is becoming more and more inconvenient to many of us"

P.O. Box 80663

Lincoln, NE  68501

402 - 476 - 4414

info@animalrescuesoc.org

DRC-1339 kills birds by attacking their kidneys, eventually resulting in total renal failure and death. This is a slow, torturous process that can take up to several days. Because of this, many starlings who were poisoned in one location were able to make their way far afield before finally falling from the sky and perishing in the yards of horrified residents.

Killing birds is a shortsighted "solution" to any perceived problem. As long as the areas of concern remain attractive and accessible to these birds, more will move in from surrounding areas to fill the newly vacant niche. This creates a vicious and repetitive poisoning cycle in which many birds will suffer and die needlessly.

Please contact the USDA and politely urge it to stop the use of DRC-1339 immediately.

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