<p>Laser
deterrents have been used as a method of deterring birds from problem areas
such as fisheries, agricultural fields and airports. This method is considered
a nonlethal means of control although lasers are known to cause visual lesions
and loss of visual acuity in humans and other animals. Birds have a complex
visual system which is necessary for behaviors critical to their survival, such
as hunting and foraging, and predator vigilance. The purpose of this study is to
determine the safety of laser deterrents for avian eyes using two species of
birds: house sparrows (<i>Passer domesticus</i>) and European Starlings (<i>Sturnus
vulgaris</i>). We found evidence that laser exposure can cause corneal edema,
cataracts, retinal atrophy, displacement of the photoreceptor nuclei, and
degeneration of the scleral cartilage. The laser exposure time was an important
factor in the likelihood of developing corneal edema and retinal atrophy in
starlings. Our findings suggest that lasers may not be completely safe for use
as bird deterrents, but further research should be done to find possible
solutions to improve laser safety from the avian viewpoint. </p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:purdue.edu/oai:figshare.com:article/17158127 |
| Date | 19 December 2021 |
| Creators | Deona L Harris (11823203) |
| Source Sets | Purdue University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, Thesis |
| Rights | CC BY 4.0 |
| Relation | https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Effects_of_laser_power_and_exposure_time_on_the_avian_eye_implications_for_the_use_of_bird_deterrents/17158127 |
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