PeckOff Starling Traps have been added to trap.nz!

#1

Hi trappers!

I am posting here on behalf of https://www.peckoff.co.nz/
Over the last 3 years we have developed a live capture trap for pest birds. Our primary target is starlings, but the traps can also be used for the management of sparrows and mynas.

The trap works by creating an attractive nesting environment for these species, with no bait or poisons required.

In addition to displacing native species, these birds cause extensive damage to grain and fruit crops, pose health risks, and create fire hazards in areas where they are nesting. Approximately 30-40% of tractor fires in NZ are caused by nesting birds, with the majority of these being attributed to starlings.

We would like to have the trap endorsed by DOC, but require a more extensive data set. To help gather more data from around the country, we have set up a project on Trap.nz for PeckOff trappers.
If you already have a trap and would like to join our community, please join our project here: https://trap.nz/project/38264624/join

If you have any questions on the traps, please check out our website, or ask below.

Thanks!
Matt

2 Likes
#2

Some links to information on starling damage to rural machinery below, I can only post 2 links at a time, but more more info on the pest status of these birds is easily found online:

#3

How do you dispatch the starlings after you catch them?

#4

Hi Filius, thanks for your question!

Cervical dislocation is widely recommended as the preferred method of euthanising birds up to 3kg in the field. It is up to the trapper to ensure all target birds are euthanised humanely using a method they are comfortable with and can perform consistently.

NZ references include;
DOC Bird Bander’s Manual, section 4.1.5.
Association of Avian Veterinarians Australasian Committee

The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee guidelines recommends blunt force trauma as an acceptable alternative to cervical dislocation for small birds p.12 & 14