Automatic Rice Field Maya-Bird Deterrent System

Introduction

In the Philippines, there are various species of birds which feed on such crops as

rice. Collectively, these birds are known locally as Maya (Caliboso, 2000). Specifically,

the most prominent Maya bird, the Eurasian tree sparrow is the most common bird to

see in the Philippines, both in urban and rural areas (Oplas, 2014). It is also common in

many other East Asian countries. Maya is considered a pest by many rice farmers. They

eat the young and immature rice, or suck fluids in them. Some species will feed off of

the panicles by either landing upon them, by perching on nearby objects (such as fences

or posts) or by eating the dropped grain on the ground when fields are harvested – they

are most abundant during this time. Birds chew seeds in the milky stage of the crop.

The damage caused due to perching birds on the panicles results in some crop loss.

Though that may be the case, Maya also offer a variety of useful services to farmers.

The tree sparrow may be providing a service in feeding on the weed seeds present in

and around the rice field habitat, and tree sparrows are also helping to potentially

reduce damage to crops from invertebrate pests (Smedley, 2017). Considering the pros

and cons of having Maya in rice fields, it is very much necessary to prudently select the

most effective and environment-friendly bird scaring techniques.

Numerous ways to combat the persistence of Maya in rice fields have been

developed over time. Several techniques to deter birds include sonic, visual, and

olfactory deterrents, as well as chemical repellents, but almost all methods including

the common scarecrow are impractical because they result in habituation. For example,

distress calls are effective against some species but can result in habituation (Johnson
et al, 1985). High frequency and ultrasonic devices have also been prevalently

advertised in the market to deter birds but numerous studies state otherwise for the

hearing ranges of most bird species are well within the hearing range of man (Brand and

Kellogg, 1939). Despite user testimonials and unsubstantiated claims of advertisers,

ultrasonic devices have not been proven efficacious for repelling birds (Griffiths 1987,

Woronecki 1988). The researchers of the present study determined the most effective

bird scaring techniques employed by rice farmers in the locality and found among them

the using of a long string/small rope with cans or other noisy things tied in the middle.

When the rope or string is pulled, it creates noise and scares the maya. This relatively

simple yet effective tactic in scaring away maya is the main focal point of the current

study.

The present study aims to design a system that will innovate an existing method

of farmers in scaring away maya birds – that of ropes with stones in cans. Basically, in

this method, lengths of thin ropes are installed hanging across a rice field with cans

containing stones tied to it. The farmer mechanically pulls these ropes whenever maya

birds are spotted and the produced motion and sound scare them away. This existing

method proves to be effective against habituation of the birds since the frequency of its

motion and produced sound is timed exactly only when the birds are present. The

downside to this is that it requires constant surveillance and attention of the farmer.

Automation of this system is the goal of the researchers. The final output of the study is

a miniature prototype of the entire automated bird deterrent system. The entire device

will be solar powered, eliminating the cost of fuel, the inconvenience of regular attention

and its protection from environmental perturbation - therefore making it environmentally

friendly.

Review of Related Literature

The present study deals with avian life, specifically the cohabitation of maya

birds in Philippine rice fields. A thorough understanding of the maya species,

specifically the Eurasian Tree Sparrow is therefore on utmost importance for

consideration. A thesis study conducted by Richard Smedley titled “Avian Diversity of

Rice Fields in Southeast Asia”, published in June 2017, provides abundant knowledge on

Philippine avian life with emphasized detailed research into the life-cycle and diet of the

Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus). His study, which involves twenty-seven

continuous months of bird surveys, disproved the common misconception in Asian

countries that all birds are a menace in rice fields. His study even shows of how certain

birds can be of benefit to the field, even the infamous maya, by providing a service in

feeding on the weed seeds present in and around the rice field habitat. Weighing both

the benefits and cons of having maya in the field, Smedley proposed recommendations

for the management of bird populations on rice fields within the Philippines. An excerpt

of such recommendations (p. 182) are as follows;

 To encourage further research and to educate field workers

and farmers in the development of target-specific bird scaring

techniques. Few bird species recorded within the rice fields are

likely to have any effect on rice crop yield, and the species that

are likely to cause a problem will only do so during certain

phases of the crop cycle. Scaring all birds throughout the year
 is costly, time consuming, unnecessary and dangerous, as

birds become habituated to methods and learn that they are

harmless.

 A reduction of avian persecution, including hunting and egg

collection within the rice crop habitat, will increase the

conservation value of this internationally important habitat

across the Filipino archipelago and elsewhere, with no likely

impact on crop production.The use of scaring devices only

during key times of the crop because birds habituate to devices

quickly within rice fields. If a device is implemented whilst the

rice is still developing, by the time the crop is most at risk

(when panicles are exposed upon the plant), individuals have

become habituated to the device.

It is within these two recommendations in which the present study design is

anchored. The researchers observed different bird-scaring methods around the locality

and sought out target-specific ones which lead to the discovery of the cans-and-stones

method. According to a local farmer Michael Merencillo, this method is designed

effective specifically in scaring away maya birds. The researchers then decided to make

the bird-deterrent system design as close as possible to the original mechanically

activated one. Because birds habituate easily, using the cans-and-stones method

proves effective since it can be deactivated once it is deemed unnecessary to use.

Before coming to the decision of having the present design of the study, the
researchers sought out different possible designs of bird-scaring techniques, and

eliminated the least effective ones. One such design is the use of High frequency sound

devices, including ultrasonic devices. A research study by William Erickson, Rex Marsh,

and Terrell Salmon Titled “High Frequency Sound Devices Lack Efficacy In Repelling

Birds”, published in 1992, provides information about the efficacy of such devices in

repelling birds. Erickson, et al ‘s abstract states;

Ultrasonic or high-frequency sound-producing devices are

marketed as a scaring or frightening method for bird control. Although

inaudible to humans, most birds also do not hear in the ultrasonic

frequency ranges of above 20,000 Hz, thus the credibility of advertised

claims raises questions. A review of efficacy studies conducted and

published by a number of researchers fails to demonstrate the

usefulness of such bird control devices.

It is by this knowledge that the researchers completely eliminated the involvement

of ultrasonic devices in designing the present study.

A prototype project study by Andikars, Nandya, and Kuntoro titled “Rice Field

Midges Prototype”, published in May 2019, provides the researchers the reference for

the materials that will be used in constructing the final output prototype. Andikars, et

al’s project is designed to detect the presence of rice pests including birds in the field.

Their design made use of an ultrasonic sensor for detection, and a buzzer and servo as

activated devices to repel the birds. It is very much similar to the present study in the
sense that is detects the presence of birds and afterwards activates a motor to pull a

rope to repel the birds. Main differences to the present study includes ; their rope

containing flags as visual deterrent instead of cans and stones for sound and motion;

their sensor being an ultrasonic, whereas the present study will make use of PIR for

better detection, and lastly; their study makes use of a rechargeable/ replaceable

battery as the main source of power, whereas the present study will tap in the source of

solar energy for reducing the cost of power supply.

Another study design is by Alex Beale published in May 2022, titled “DFRobot Solar

Power Manager 5V”. This provides the researchers the reference for proper

construction of the power source, which is solar.