Corn Ear Damage due to Bird Feeding

RL (Bob) Nielsen, Extension Corn Specialist, Department of Agronomy, Purdue University

Blackbirds, grackles, and crows often feed on developing ears in corn fields early in the grain filling period following pollination. They seem particularly attracted to developing kernels near the so-called milk stage or "roasting ear" stage. Large flocks of these birds can cause a tremendous amount of damage and will often target one hybrid over another. Damage is often most prevalent along field edges and nearby wooded areas, but can extend throughout a large field. The symptoms that immediately catch the eye are the missing or damaged kernels on the cobs. Damaged cobs often turn brown or black once molds begin infecting the damaged tissue. The symptom that clearly identifies birds as the culprits is the shredded husk leaves that result from the birds working their way to the kernels.

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