Factors Related to Farmers' Preferences to Decrease Monk Parakeet Damage to Crops

Abstract

The monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) is among the most important bird pest species causing damage to crops in Argentina and neighboring countries. Traditionally, lethal control has been applied for decreasing monk parakeet damage to crops, but objections are increasing and new methods are required. In this article, we examined farmers' preferences for management of monk parakeet damage to crops in relation to sociopsychological and sociodemographic factors. We conducted 111 personal interviews using face-to-face questionnaires. Farmers preferred reproductive and lethal control for decreasing monk parakeet damage to crops. Attitudes toward monk parakeets were related more strongly to preferences than any other factor considered in this study. Other important sociopsychological factors were perceived efficacy and previous knowledge about management strategies. Perceptions of magnitude of damage had little relation to preferences. Sociodemographic factors, such as age and education, differed in their relationship to preferences, depending on the management strategy.