Demand for fruits and vegetables in export and local markets are increasing with population explosion. Pakistan is producing around 33 and 29 types of fruits and vegetables, respectively, around the year. Guava (biennial fruit) is one of the most delicious fruits widely cultivated across Pakistan. However, its yield is reduced due to avian pests, which occasionally visit the orchards. Mostly, scaring methods are exercised to reduce fruit damage. To evaluate the fruit (guava) damage due to avian pests, three different localities (Lamba Wali/Site I, Kot Shahan/Site II, and Mansoora/Site III) were selected in District Gujranwala, Pakistan. Sites I and II were controlled (scaring methods were not applied), while Site III was treated as an experimental site (scaring methods were applied). Results indicated that the most abundant bird species observed at Site III were House Crow (Corvus splendens) and House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). Overall, 25.67% of visitors were omnivores, followed by 16% of carnivores and frugivores. During the months of May and June, the highest fruit yield was observed at site III, about 1379kg and 1407 kg, respectively, while 33kg and 30kg less fruit damage was observed in a similar fashion when compared with sites 1 and II. It is concluded that scaring and mechanical methods are more powerful tools used in reducing fruit (especially guava) damage.

Keywords: Guava fruit orchards, damage assessment, relative abundance and diversity of birds, fruit yield.