A different take on bird control

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September 6, 2018

PHOTO: iStock.com/Rizel_S

PHOTO: iStock.com/Rizel_S

If you smoke cigarettes knowing the side effects, well, that’s your choice. But now, if you throw the cigarette butts on the sidewalk or out your car window, there might be a solution to your littering problem. Trash-collecting birds are the answer for Puy du Fou, a history-themed amusement park in France.

Rooks, a member of the corvid family, which also includes ravens and crows, are birds that have high cognitive function making them intelligent enough to be given tasks.

The birds are considered part of the staff and assigned to clean up litter — specifically cigarette butts. The birds were trained to gather the cigarette butts in exchange for peanuts that were dispensed from a vending machine-like receptacle.

According to BBC, Nicolas de Villiers, Puy du Fou president, says he hopes the birds will demonstrate that “nature itself can teach us to take care of the environment.”

How about that for bird control?

About the Author

Photo courtesy of Danielle Pesta

Danielle Pesta is the senior digital media manager at North Coast Media, the parent company of PMP magazine. She can be reached at dpesta@northcoastmedia.net.

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