An attempt to investigate color preference using eight cases of captive Japanese wild birds

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  • 日本産野鳥8例の飼育実験による色選好性試験

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Abstract

Bird repellent devices have been used extensively to induce wild bird pests to avoid otherwise attractive or palatable materials. Although color has long been considered a potential visual repellent among birds, which colors are commonly unattractive to wild bird species in Japan has not yet been elucidated. We have obtained eight cases of captive Japanese wild birds to investigate their color preference, resulting in a consistent color preference among them. The birds used in the present attempt consisted of an individual each of eight species: tree sparrow (Passer montanus), rufous turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis), bamboo partridge (Bambusicola thoracica), brown-eared bulbul (Hypsipetes amaurotis), crested myna (Acridotheres cristatellus), dusky thrush (Turdus naumanni), azure-winged magpie (Cyanopica cyana), and black kite (Milvus migrans). The birds were presented with four feeders that had lids colored red, yellow, green and blue. None of the birds selected yellow or blue as their very first choice. In addition, preference scores differed between the four colors. All birds showed the less preference for yellow, and also blue was less preferred by most of the birds. In contrast, most birds preferred red and green. Thus, there was a significant difference between the scores of yellow and green. The findings of the present evaluation suggest that yellow is better suited for controlling birds and also blue would be a good color, but that red and green are not so suitable for visual repellents. To increase the efficacy of colors for deterring birds, futher investigation would be desirable to combine the initial deterrence of the visual repellents with other aversive stimuli, such as chemosensory repellents or frightening agents.

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