Birds and Pesticides Luke Choate Peregrine Falcon

Pesticides have been wildly used and accepted since World War II Pesticides have been wildly used and accepted since World War II Many of the pesticides harm unintentional victims, one of these victims is the bird population Many of the pesticides harm unintentional victims, one of these victims is the bird population

Problems: Pesticides don’t always kill their victim, sometimes they inhibit the breeding of the species it comes in contact with Pesticides don’t always kill their victim, sometimes they inhibit the breeding of the species it comes in contact with Many pesticides, kill birds directly such as DDT, which poisons the nervous system Many pesticides, kill birds directly such as DDT, which poisons the nervous system A recent study has shown an increase in the amount of unhatched eggs among common cavity-nesting birds A recent study has shown an increase in the amount of unhatched eggs among common cavity-nesting birds Although DDT is banned in the U.S. there are still many toxic chemicals used which cannot be studied because the producers are legally protecting their “Trade Secret” by not allowing their product to be studied Although DDT is banned in the U.S. there are still many toxic chemicals used which cannot be studied because the producers are legally protecting their “Trade Secret” by not allowing their product to be studied

Just a few animal species affected by Pesticides Peregrine Falcon Peregrine Falcon Ospreys Ospreys Swainson’s Hawk Swainson’s Hawk Lesser long-nosed bat Lesser long-nosed bat Lesser long-nosed bat Lesser long-nosed bat Pacific pocket mouse Pacific pocket mouse Pacific pocket mouse Pacific pocket mouse San Bernardino kangaroo rat San Bernardino kangaroo rat San Bernardino kangaroo rat San Bernardino kangaroo rat Buena Vista Lake shrew Buena Vista Lake shrew Buena Vista Lake shrew Buena Vista Lake shrew California red-legged frog California red-legged frog California red-legged frog California red-legged frog California tiger salamander California tiger salamander California tiger salamander California tiger salamander Chiricahua leopard frog Chiricahua leopard frog Chiricahua leopard frog Chiricahua leopard frog Mountain yellow-legged frog Mountain yellow-legged frog Mountain yellow-legged frog Mountain yellow-legged frog Southwestern arroyo toad Southwestern arroyo toad Southwestern arroyo toad Southwestern arroyo toad Yosemite toad Yosemite toad Yosemite toad Yosemite toad Alameda whipsnake Alameda whipsnake Alameda whipsnake Alameda whipsnake Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard Desert tortoise Desert tortoise Desert tortoise Desert tortoise New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake Western burrowing owl Western burrowing owl Western burrowing owl Western burrowing owl Cactus ferruginous pygmy owl Cactus ferruginous pygmy owl Cactus ferruginous pygmy owl Cactus ferruginous pygmy owl Mexican spotted owl Mexican spotted owl Mexican spotted owl Mexican spotted owl Southwestern willow flycatcher Southwestern willow flycatcher Southwestern willow flycatcher Southwestern willow flycatcher Delta smelt Delta smelt Delta smelt Delta smelt Southern California steelhead Southern California steelhead Southern California steelhead Southern California steelhead Gila trout Gila trout Gila trout Gila trout Desert pupfish Desert pupfish Desert pupfish Desert pupfish Loach minnow Loach minnow Loach minnow Loach minnow Spikedace Spikedace Spikedace Green sturgeon Green sturgeon Green sturgeon Green sturgeon Unarmored three spine stickleback Unarmored three spine stickleback Unarmored three spine stickleback Unarmored three spine stickleback Hine’s emerald dragonfly Hine’s emerald dragonfly Hine’s emerald dragonfly Hine’s emerald dragonfly Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly Riverside fairy shrimp Riverside fairy shrimp Riverside fairy shrimp Riverside fairy shrimp Holmgren milk-vetch Holmgren milk-vetch Holmgren milk-vetch Holmgren milk-vetch Shivwits milk-vetch Shivwits milk-vetch Shivwits milk-vetch Shivwits milk-vetch Sorry if it’s hard to read, but it isn’t my fault. Blame the pesticides.

Solutions There are many things you can do to avoid the use of pesticides: There are many things you can do to avoid the use of pesticides: Use Bio-pesticides which are derived from natural materials instead of being made in a labUse Bio-pesticides which are derived from natural materials instead of being made in a lab Keep your lawn healthy, it’s a natural way to reduce pestsKeep your lawn healthy, it’s a natural way to reduce pests Use plants native to your area in your gardenUse plants native to your area in your garden Know which insects are the “Pests” in your yard, some are actually beneficialKnow which insects are the “Pests” in your yard, some are actually beneficial Attract more birds to your yard with bird baths and nest boxes, they’re a pest killer too!Attract more birds to your yard with bird baths and nest boxes, they’re a pest killer too! Try to buy more organic food and support those farmers in the fight against pesticidesTry to buy more organic food and support those farmers in the fight against pesticides Prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your backyard, they’re one of the major reasons for the use of pesticidesPrevent mosquitoes from breeding in your backyard, they’re one of the major reasons for the use of pesticides

Much of my information was gathered from: Much of my information was gathered from: mmer2001/pesticides.html atoryBirds/Fact_Sheets/default.cfm?fxsht=8