Migratory Bird Permits; Removal of Rusty Blackbird and Tamaulipas (Mexican) Crow From the Depredation Order for Blackbirds, Cowbirds, Grackles, Crows, and Magpies, and Other Changes to the Order

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, change the regulations governing control of depredating blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, crows, and magpies at 50 CFR 21.43. Because of long-term evidence of population declines throughout much of their ranges, we remove the Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) and the Mexican (Tamaulipas) Crow (Corvus imparatus) from the list of species that may be controlled under the depredation order. With the effective date of this final rule, a depredation permit is required to conduct control actions to take either of these species. Also, nontoxic shot or bullets must be used in most cases when a firearm is used to control any species listed under the order. Finally, we add a requirement to report on control actions taken under the order.