importance of multiple scale analysis for understanding distribution and for management of an agricultural bird pest

Winter distribution of starlings depends on factors which act at different spatial scales. Four levels determined by agricultural activity and by bird behaviour are identified as a consistent model for starlings: regional, landscape, parcel and station. This spatial analysis is applied to different kinds of damage caused by starlings and to the means used today to prevent this damage. Results show that the landscape level defined by spatial organisation of farms and by area used daily by the bird, seems to be profitable for managing starling populations. However, lack of data at this level, in knowledge of species and in damage prevention, will involve the promotion of further research.