effect of colour on bait consumption of kea (Nestor notabilis): implications for deterring birds from toxic baits

• Published in: New Zealand journal of zoology 2013-06, Vol.40 (2), p.137-144
• Main Authors: Weser, C, Ross, JG
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquaculture; bait attractiveness; baits; Birds; cakes; color; colour preferences; Consumption; feeding behavior; Metatheria; Nestor notabilis; non-target bird species; parrots; poisoning; primary repellent; risk; toxic bait deterrents; toxicity
• ISSN: 1175-8821; 0301-4223; 1175-8821
• DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2012.710639

The kea (Nestor notabilis), an endemic parrot, is at risk of primary poisoning during 1080 possum control operations. This project aimed at providing information on the effect of colour on bait attractiveness for kea to ultimately increase the safety of toxic bait. A feeding trial with captive kea investigated their colour preferences by offering cake dyed in six different colours simultaneously over six consecutive days. On average, the order of preference was yellow>red>brown>mid-blue>dark-blue>green; all birds encountered and consistently consumed less green bait than all the other colours throughout the trial. These results suggest that green is the most promising colour to deter captive kea from feeding in a multi-choice situation. However, due to kea's opportunistic feeding behaviour and inquisitive nature this might not be the case if green is the only option, suggesting that a stronger deterrent than colour may be necessary to deter free-ranging birds from consuming toxic bait.