**2.1 The impact of poisoning by seeds treated with pesticides in birds**

All the studies realized to compare bird mortality with the possible mitigation methods, like camouflaged, beige color, carbosulfan and methiocarb-treated seeds (Almeida, 2006; Almeida et al., 2010a; Almeida & Almeida, in press) allowed the evaluation the environmental impact of traditional modes of wheat, corn and rice cultivation used in Brazil, on dry and ploughed soil, with an emphasis on avian mortality caused by seeds dyed using Rhodamine B and treated with carbofuran and carbosulfan (Almeida & Almeida , in press).

This work partially described above, accounts results from seven field trials, employing 7,339 kg of seeds sowed in 57.24 hectares (Almeida & Almeida, in press). The rice and wheat experimentation occurred in similar conditions of Almeida et al., (2010a).

In these experiments, an evaluation of the effect of carbofuran on wild birds was undertaken in these experiments. The mean, standard deviation and confidence interval (p = 0.05%) of mortality was calculated, and the confidence intervals were computed using the Student's *t* distribution (Almeida & Almeida, in press).

Picazuro pigeons (*Patagioenas picazuro*) and small species such as the eared dove (*Zenaida auriculata*), ruddy ground dove (*Columbina talpacoti*) and Chopi blackbird (*Gnorimopsar chopi*) were the predominant species poisoned by seeds treated with carbofuran and Rhodamine B. All these granivorous bird species are common in rural areas of the south-eastern Brazil.

Granivorous birds represented 97% of the species poisoned, and the eared dove accounted for 89% of the total number of individuals found dead. The mortality mounted to 465 birds of 13 species, including partial carcasses and piles of feathers found (feather spots data, Figure 12), which represent birds that were partially consumed or totally removed by avian and mammals predators.

The minimum number of birds poisoned was between 25 and 183 where eared dove flocks were present. The estimated number of birds expected to be poisoned was 77.5 ± 55.7 (n=6; standard deviation=69.6, p=0.05). Therefore, we would expect an average of approximately 9 deaths per hectare (between 2.5 - 15.6 birds per hectare).

Fig. 10. Domestic pigeons (*Columba livia*) feeding near to the plots of the removal experiment

All the studies realized to compare bird mortality with the possible mitigation methods, like camouflaged, beige color, carbosulfan and methiocarb-treated seeds (Almeida, 2006; Almeida et al., 2010a; Almeida & Almeida, in press) allowed the evaluation the environmental impact of traditional modes of wheat, corn and rice cultivation used in Brazil, on dry and ploughed soil, with an emphasis on avian mortality caused by seeds dyed using Rhodamine B and treated with carbofuran and carbosulfan (Almeida & Almeida , in

This work partially described above, accounts results from seven field trials, employing 7,339 kg of seeds sowed in 57.24 hectares (Almeida & Almeida, in press). The rice and wheat

In these experiments, an evaluation of the effect of carbofuran on wild birds was undertaken in these experiments. The mean, standard deviation and confidence interval (p = 0.05%) of mortality was calculated, and the confidence intervals were computed using the Student's *t*

Picazuro pigeons (*Patagioenas picazuro*) and small species such as the eared dove (*Zenaida auriculata*), ruddy ground dove (*Columbina talpacoti*) and Chopi blackbird (*Gnorimopsar chopi*) were the predominant species poisoned by seeds treated with carbofuran and Rhodamine B. All these granivorous bird species are common in rural areas of the south-eastern Brazil. Granivorous birds represented 97% of the species poisoned, and the eared dove accounted for 89% of the total number of individuals found dead. The mortality mounted to 465 birds of 13 species, including partial carcasses and piles of feathers found (feather spots data, Figure 12), which represent birds that were partially consumed or totally removed by avian

The minimum number of birds poisoned was between 25 and 183 where eared dove flocks were present. The estimated number of birds expected to be poisoned was 77.5 ± 55.7 (n=6; standard deviation=69.6, p=0.05). Therefore, we would expect an average of approximately

**2.1 The impact of poisoning by seeds treated with pesticides in birds** 

experimentation occurred in similar conditions of Almeida et al., (2010a).

distribution (Almeida & Almeida, in press).

9 deaths per hectare (between 2.5 - 15.6 birds per hectare).

and mammals predators.

press).

Fig. 11. Eared dove (*Zenaida auriculata*) killed by ingestion of wheat seeds treated with carbofuran. Eared dove were the most numerous casualties in the plantation experiments.

Aware of the fact that some birds poisoned by carbosulfan escaped into the surrounding habitat before dying, such estimates need to consider that the mortality caused by carbosulfan was probably conservative and not accurate. Moreover, counting did not provide a full tally of secondary poisoning mortality rates, since predators left the area or those carcasses were removed by scavengers before being counted (as described by Mineau 2005).

The estimative of the number of birds potentially poisoned on Brazilian farms are very worrying. Agrotoxins like carbofuran are used on a very large scale in Brazil, and improper use occurs throughout the agricultural landscape. Governmental control is very absent, and millions of hectares are devoted to rice, wheat, and corn production. Species such as the eared dove are abundant in some regions, and they may be both, victims and vectors, effectively passing the agrotoxin legacy up the food chain to predators (some of whom may be rare) as the poisoned doves are predated or scavenged.

Fig. 12. Activity of predators removing poisoned bird, as evidenced by the pile of feathers.

Camouflage of Seeds, a Control Method of the Bird Mortality in Grain Crops 377

The chemical composition of this dye was based mainly on iron oxides (FeO) in red and yellow colors, and silicatate colloidal sulfur of the FeO in blue color, these being the three

The proportions in grams of the pigments, according to the colors of soil, ranged as follows: i) 15 red, 4 yellow: 5 blue, ii) 15 red: 14 yellow: 5 blue, iii) 15 red: 4 yellow: 15 blue. The analysis of the camouflage covers was done visually, comparing them with soil samples

Results showed that, as proportions of each pigment were varied, different tones could be obtained. This fact contributes positively to the camouflage of seeds, enabling it to create coatings with colors that can approach the tone of croplands, from light sandy soils to darkreddish clayey ones. For example, to color 110 kg of wheat seeds according to a sample of dark red latosol from Londrina-PR, it took 2.4 kg of mixed colors. The individual quantities of dye to 100 kg of seed were: 1.5 kilograms of red pigment, 0.40 kg of yellow pigment, and

Searching for the development of camouflage techniques of seeds treated with syrup of carbofuran, which would provide color and texture similar to the ground, in order to prevent wild birds to recognize them, experiments were carried out in two phases to the selection of appropriate material. Later, the ingredients used for camouflage were selected, according to criteria relevant to seeds germination and their treatment on the machines that apply the Carbofuran syrup. This syrup, composed of Carbofuran, Rhodamine B had a commercial commonly used concentrated suspension of 350 g/L (hereinafter: carbofuran

From all the materials tested, those which did not showed favorable characteristics to the

i. Plaster: after the drying process, it had become extremely brittle, loosening up the seed with ease. Besides, while still damp, caused clumping of the seeds during the treatment.

iii. Ink (synthetic pigment concentrate, Coral ®): caused clumping of the seeds during the

iv. Dolomitic limestone with magnesium: when dry, promoted a heterogeneous brittle

This phase started in January 2002 aimed at testing different materials to be possibly used in the process of concealment of the seeds. Features like the coloring capacity of the pigments, its viscosity, seeds agglutination during the treatments, homogeneity and cover resistance

were observed, and so the materials deemed suitable were selected for phase 2.

The items which initially showed favorable characteristics to the staining process were: i. Powder dye, used with water and/or carbofuran syrup, presented coverage, opacity and appropriate fluidity, as well as quick drying. Did not cause seeds clumping. ii. Liquid dye (Chess ®), used with water and/or carbofuran syrup, presented adequate coverage and smooth, as well as fast drying, however caused higher brightness. Did not

ii. Calcium carbonate: caused clumping of the seeds during the treatment.

treatment and the drying process took a long time.

**3.2.1 Material selection for seeds camouflage: phase 1** 

colors forming the mixtures (camouflage).

from Londrina (PR).

0.50 kg of blue pigment.

staining process were:

coverage.

cause seeds clumping.

syrup).

**3.2 Camouflage improvements** 

The high mortality rates noted in Brazil are equivalent to existing findings (Eisler, 1985; Agriculture Canada, 1993; Mineau et al., 1999; Mineau, 2005) regarding the potential impact carbofuran exposure can have on wild birds.

Given these findings, research must be intensified to evaluate the magnitude of the impact that pesticides are having on Brazilian fauna, since these application methods and formulations have been banned in developed countries, but they are still used in Brazil, and probably in other Latin America countries, on large commercial scales, with government permission. The Brazilian Federal Government should be pressured, since the continued use of carbofuran and Rhodamine B is in conflict with Brazilian Law (Number 7802, July 11, 1989) because they may cause environmental damage.

Fig. 13. Seeds treatments tested in the second trial of the removal experiment: camouflaging with industrialized liquid dye (above, left), camouflaging with powder dye (above, right), aposematic mid-blue seed (center), yellow natural corn (below, left), rhodamine B treated seeds (below, right).
