Avian diversity across growth stages of maize (Zea mays L.): A comparative study of sowing-seedling and ripening stages with depredation management

The present study aimed to achieve the key objectives to assess the avian diversity effectiveness of depredatory bird management techniques during the sowing-seedling and ripening stages of spring maize (PMH 10). The experiment was conducted near Experimental Farms of the School of Organic Farming and Integrated Farming fields at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, with five designated plots—five treatment plots and one control plot. The treatments included netting (T1), a combination of scare balloons and paper bag wrapping (T2), reflective ribbons (T3), a combination of bioacoustics and leaf wrapping (T4), and Integrated plot (T5) while the control plot (C) remained unmanaged. Field surveys recorded 41 bird species were recorded belonging to 38 genera and 30 families under 12 orders, with higher species richness in the sowing-seedling stage compared to the ripening stage. Among these 41 species, nineteen were insectivores, nine were omnivorous, four were grainivores, three were frugivores, three were carnivores and three were herbivores. Overall, the implemented bird-scaring techniques significantly reduced the feeding activity and abundance of depredatory bird species in treatment plots compared to the unmanaged control plot. While scare devices were effective initially, bird habituation reduced long-term efficacy. These findings emphasize the need for sustainable bird deterrent strategies that minimize crop losses while maintaining avian biodiversity, contributing to eco-friendly agricultural practices.