Geology topics

Edward W. Schafer

Publications and source records attributed to Edward W. Schafer.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1982

Potential secondary hazards of Avitrol baits to sharp-shinned hawks and american kestrels

Avitrol© is the registered trade name of a number of proprietary bird control products containing the active ingredient 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). Several formulations of Avitrol are available to pest control applicators for use in agricultural areas. Although individual treated bait particles contain from 0.5 to 3.0% 4-AP, the amount present in the 14 federally registered products ranges from 0.3 to 1.0%, depending on the proportion of treated to untreated particles in the ready-to-use baits. Individual birds in depredating flocks ingesting 1 or more of the treated particles exhibit erratic behavior which frightens other birds in the flock. Numerous published references are available which describe the use and results of 1 or more of these products under a variety of conditions (Goodhue and Baumgartner 1965, DeGrazio et al. 1972, Stickley et al. 1972, Dolbeer et al. 1976, Stickley et al. 1976, Besser and Guarino 1977, Knittle et al. 1977, Mott 1977, Stick ley et al. 1977, Besser 1978, Woronecki et al. 1979).

Journal of Wildlife Management↗

USGS1977

The chronic toxicity of 3-chloro-4-methyl benzamine HCl to birds

3-Chloro-4-methyl benzamine HCl (DRC-1339), an avian toxicant, was fed to five species of birds for periods up to 120 days. The 30-day LC 50 of uniformly treated feed for starlings was 4.7 ppm and the 90-day LC 50 was 1.0 ppm. The 28-day LC 50 for coturnix was 18 ppm. The 30-day LC 50 for pigeons was less than 100 ppm. Pheasants fed diets containing 2% DRC-1339 baits diluted to a rate of 286 ppm of DRC-1339 died within 22 days. Bobwhite quail fed similar diets suffered some mortality at levels as low as 2.9 ppm, but most survived 10 times this dosage level for the 120-day test period. Application of the Kenaga “Index of Chronicity,” resulted in the conclusion that DRC-1339 was cumulatively toxic to birds. Reproduction in coturnix was adversely affected by treatments at 10 ppm of DRC-1339 and above. Reproduction in pigeons was adversely affected by a treatment of 25 ppm. In coturnix, DRC-1339 caused an increased incidence of egg breakage and decreased both egg and live chick production. In pigeons, DRC-1339 caused an increase in the proportion of infertile eggs. Reproductive ability of first generation offspring was not affected when parent coturnix and pigeons were fed DRC-1339. These data emphasize the need for care in the use of DRC-1339. The bait should be used only as registered and care exercised in storage and disposal of unused baits to avoid poisoning of nontarget species.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗

USGS1972

The acute oral toxicity of 369 pesticidal, pharmaceutical and other chemicals to wild birds

The acute po toxicity of 369 chemicals was determined for 1 or more species of wild birds, always including either red-winged blackbirds or starlings. Of these, 180 chemicals were toxic to 1 or more species at 100 mg/kg or less. Statistical comparison of redwing, starling and rat data indicated that redwings were more sensitive to chemicals than starlings, and both were more sensitive than rats.

Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology↗