Plovers
Systematic position: The family Charadriidae, known as Plovers, belongs to the order Charadriiformes. This group includes various species such as lapwings and dotterels that frequently inhabit agricultural landscapes, often utilizing croplands and pastures for foraging and nesting purposes.
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Plovers
Crops damaged: These birds primarily target newly sown fields, including cereal grains, vegetables, and leguminous crops. They are particularly attracted to areas with exposed soil and young seedlings, where they forage for seeds and soil-dwelling invertebrates, often damaging the crops in the process.
Biology and life cycle: Plovers are migratory birds that arrive at their breeding grounds during the early spring, coinciding with the peak of planting operations. They nest on the ground in open areas. Their foraging behavior involves scanning the soil surface and pecking at seeds or larvae, which can result in significant localized disturbances to the seedbed.
Nature of damage: The damage caused by plovers is primarily mechanical and consumptive. They expose or consume seeds before germination and pull out young seedlings. This creates thin patches in the crop stand, necessitating potential reseeding and leading to increased costs and reduced yield potential at harvest.
Protection measures: Management strategies include the use of acoustic scaring devices, such as predator calls, and visual deterrents like kites or reflective materials. Implementing proper agrotechnical practices, such as ensuring adequate seed burial depth and using seed treatments with repellent properties, remains a standard approach for preventing crop losses.