Responses of three species of captive fruit-eating birds to phosmet-treated food

We conducted two‐cup feeding trials to assess the responses of cedar waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum (Vieillet)), American robins (Turdus migratorius (L.)), and European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris L.) to food adulterated with phosmet 500 g kg−1 WP (‘Imidan’®). All species avoided phosmet concentrations ⩾ 100 mg kg−1.Robins avoided food containing 60 mg kg−1 phosmet, while food consumption by starlings was reduced by a 30 mg kg−1 treatment. All species were indifferent to phosmet at 10 mg kg−1. These findings suggest that fruit‐eating birds will safely avoid ingesting harmful levels of phosmet when the insecticide is applied to small fruit such as blueberries and cherries. Feeding deterrence associated with phosmet might be exploited in management strategies to protect small fruit crops from damage by birds.