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Birds, including wild turkeys, eat fruit as they ripen. Depending upon which birds are present, damage may range from pecking injury to absence of fruit. Birds usually visit plantings during daytime hours, so identifying species may be possible. Bird species can often be identified by watching the crop for short intervals, but presence of tracks and scat may be the only identifiers for some species. Proper identification will determine management strategies.

Typical bird damage to bramble fruit.

(Photo: Matt Springer, University of Kentucky)

Wild turkey.

(Photo: jadimages, shutterstock.com)

Turkey tracks.

(Photo: Unnamed photographer, US National Parks Service)

Management:

• Use netting over plants to help limit bird access and feeding.
• For smaller bird species, fake snakes, balloons, auditory distress tapes, and propane cannons may be successful at limiting damage or protecting crops during the harvest period.
• Larger species (e.g., turkeys) may require propane cannons or auditory distress tapes.
• Use multiple deterrents in combination or back-to-back to improve success rate. 

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