Trapping birds with birdlime
Posted by BESG on 3 November 07, Saturday
Contributed by - see article -
Trapping birds using birdlime is a worldwide problem. Birdlime is a sticky substance made from plant materials. Different countries use different materials and methods of preparation.
The birdlime is smeared along a branch that is then placed in a suitable location with a decoy bird. The decoy is usually left tied nearby and its cries will attract nearby birds. Once a bird perches on the branch it gets stuck and as it struggles to get free, gets further entangled in the gummy substance. The trapper returns to claim his prize, either as food or to be sold to the cage bird trade.
In many western countries this method of trapping is illegal. Not so in many Asian countries.
Mandy Andrea of the Indonesian Parrot Project has this to say: “Yes, it is used because it is cheap. Following are photos we took of this practice. The glue (resin) that this farmer uses is readily available from a fairly common tree.
“He brings his lure bird that he keeps in this small cage (left).
“The lure bird is chained to the branch (below left). The resin is applied to the rest of the branch. What usually happens is the trappers will then return to work in the fields, and come back later. The lure bird attracts a variety of birds, not just his own species.
“He decides he doesn’t like the location. He picks up the branch, slings it over his shoulder, as he walks away, the lure bird dangling and swinging from its ankle chain (below right).
“In this kind of trapping, the wild birds land on the branch, their feet get stuck. They struggle and fall this way and that. When the trapper returns later, the trapped bird is stuck to the branch on many different parts of its body, and they are usually flopped over from the branch in an exhausted daze.”
Check out this link on birdliming and sign the on-line petition against such indiscriminate use of birdlime to trap birds HERE. This petition is against such a practice that is going to be legalised by the government of Catalonia, an Autonomous Community within Spain.
This method of trapping will be used to indiscriminately trap thousands of migrating thrush coming from northern Europe. The birds will be lured by “electronic appeals” meaning recorded birdcalls that attract protected as well as non-protected species.
This is also a problem in Southeast Asia.
Input by Mandy Andrea and KC Tsang, images by Mandy.
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Categories: Illegal-Irresponsible
Comment by Joyce Chng
Made Saturday, 3 of November , 2007 at 11:29 am
Hi, I read the Bird Ecology Study Group blog regularly. Recently (actually, yesterday), I encountered poachers active in a forest fragment where I live (Tampines). One of them was using a Spotted Dove as a lure. The three men were very rattled and uncomfortable when they saw me.
Comment by admin
Made Saturday, 3 of November , 2007 at 2:21 pm
Yes, poachers are still active in Singapore, unfortunately.
Comment by Joyce Chng
Made Saturday, 3 of November , 2007 at 5:48 pm
I contacted the relevant authorities (AVA, MP, police etc).
I am still quite miffed at the poachers. And yes, they are active. 
Comment by catherine
Made Sunday, 4 of November , 2007 at 11:03 am
I hope using this vote helps to make a difference in condeming the use of birdlime in Spain and in SE Asia
Comment by catherine
Made Sunday, 4 of November , 2007 at 11:05 am
God help the birds because man doesn’t
Comment by Joyce Chng
Made Monday, 5 of November , 2007 at 11:17 am
Hi, just an update. My dance with the AVA has begun, with them asking for proof. I supplied them with the appropriate pictures.
Just hope the AVA gets it into their heads that cut-and-paste answers are not the right way to reassure Singaporeans.
Comment by YC
Made Monday, 5 of November , 2007 at 12:49 pm
Good luck to your dance. Let us know the outcome.
Comment by Joyce Chng
Made Tuesday, 6 of November , 2007 at 10:16 pm
Okay, one of the AVA officers called me and we had a chat. They are going to send men down to investigate.
Comment by YC
Made Tuesday, 6 of November , 2007 at 10:34 pm
By that time the poachers are all gone… Enforcing officers seldom come at once to confront the evidence. They usually come after the incident. But let’s be positive and hope they do something…
Comment by Joyce Chng
Made Tuesday, 6 of November , 2007 at 11:31 pm
True. He actually told me to call the police as the response time is much faster.
Yes, let’s be positive and really hope something come out of this. I hate the thought of poachers lurking in the forest fragment.
