No Longer Accepting Abstracts

GENERAL CALL FOR PAPERS

Conference Focus

Blackbirds*, starlings, corvids and vultures cause severe damage to agriculture commodities and livestock facilities, transmit disease to humans and animals, are destructive to personal property, and are a safety concern at airports. Although progress has been made in addressing these problems, the nature of human-bird conflicts is dynamic and complex and require a wide breadth of expertise. The focus of this conference centers on building collaborative research, management tools, policy, and messaging around the management of blackbirds*, starlings, corvids, and black vultures for the purposes of developing successful (cost effective and environmentally sound) strategies and tools for bird damage mitigation. We welcome papers from a broad scope of topics within each species of concern including: bird biology and behavior; the impact on native/endangered plants and animals; disease threats to animals and humans; the impacts on industries, livelihoods, neighborhoods, water quality, and soil; agricultural damage; and research. Papers and presentations could also address ecological damage, economic impacts, management tactics, legislation specific to blackbirds/starlings /corvids/vultures, human dimensions, or disease control and monitoring programs. We also welcome abstract submissions for papers and presentations on other blackbird/starling/corvid/vulture topics including past and present research.

*Blackbird species to include red-winged blackbirds, brown-headed cowbirds, magpies, grackle

Oral Presentations

Oral presentation submissions are encouraged and will be reviewed for acceptance by an independent selection committee. Presentations will be scheduled for 15 minutes, including time for questions and answers. Only presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint will be supported through our conferencing audio visual equipment. Please be concise but thorough in your presentation and include pertinent areas such as research results, proven management techniques, experimental management programs, and recommendations.

Poster Presentations

Poster presentations are another option for displaying research and management programs. Posters will be mounted on large standing easels and should summarize study objectives, procedures, results, and implications. It is also useful to add contact information to a poster for future collaboration or contact. Posters will be displayed in a prominent conference area and will be visible by all participants. Poster presenters are encouraged to remain by their poster for questions during mid-session breaks. Poster dimensions should not exceed 4' x 4'. Tape, pins, and adhesives will be available for mounting.

Abstract Submission Procedures

Each submitted and accepted abstract will be printed in the conference program, available at the event and on the website in pdf form. Authors will also be given the option to submit a full manuscript for peer-reviewed publication consideration to a special issue of Human-Wildlife Interactions centered around blackbirds, starlings, corvids, and vultures. The abstract submission deadline for both oral and poster presentations is December 1, 2019. Presenters will be notified of their acceptance by December 20th, 2019 to ensure time for planning travel, etc.