International Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 5 (3), pp. 476-486, May, 2015. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals Full Length Research Paper Are quelea birds really a menace? Innovative use of indigenous knowledge systems in the harvesting and utilisation of quelea, Quelea quelea lathamii. in Hwange District of Matabeleland North Province Canisius Mpala 1 , P. Sibanda 1 , M. Dlamini 1 and B. Sibanda 2 1 Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Lupane State University P.O. Box AC 255, ASCOT, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. 2 Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences and Rangeland Management, Lupane State University P.O. Box AC 255, ASCOT, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Accepted 12 March, 2014 Quelea birds have been a threat to summer subsistence small grains and commercial winter cereal cropping in Zimbabwe. Control techniques using toxicant Fenthion through sprays has been developed in Zimbabwe. The harvesting and utilisation of quelea by the rural communities has always occurred using indigenous knowledge systems. To assess this, a survey was conducted in July 2012 to April 2013 in Hwange. The study sought to identify and assess the indigenous harvesting methods, consumption and impact of quelea harvesting on livelihoods, incomes and food security. Data was collected through focus group discussions, field observations and a questionnaire survey on forty harvesters. The study found that quelea birds are consumed and sold on the informal market for 20 birds per US$1.00. The locals use latex from Euphorbia ingens, Euphorbia persistentifolia, Euphorbia fortissima and wax from Colophospermum mopane through an ingenious environmentally friendly Chembwe trapping concept. Euphorbia cooperi latex was not used because it is poisonous. The study found that 600-1000 birds are caught per day from February to June. Harvesters get up to 350 kg of grain and USD500.00 per month from sales. The birds provide a cheap source of protein, employment and improved livelihoods. More information on preservation and processing is required. Key words: Quelea harvesting, Quelea utilisation, Euphorbia, indigenous knowledge systems, Chembwe. INTRODUCTION The Red-billed quelea, (Quelea quelea) is the world's most abundant wild bird species, with an estimated adult breeding population of 1.5 billion pairs. Some estimates of the overall population have been as large as 10 billion. It is a small passerine bird of the weaver family Ploceidae, native to sub-Saharan Africa. The southern race of quelea, Ouelea quelea lathamii breeds largely outside Zimbabwe, to the south, west and in the north where conditions are arid and ideally suited for breeding (Ward, 1971). Most of the border areas in *Corresponding author. E mail: mpalacanisius@yahoo.com Zimbabwe form part of National Parks and Wild Life Estates with the neighbouring countries. Hwange communal lands are adjacent to the north and western borders which experience quelea damage to summer subsistence small grain crops. The food of the Red-billed quelea consists of annual grasses, seeds and small grain. As soon as the sun comes up, they come together in huge flocks and co- operate in finding a suitable feeding place. After a successful search, they settle rapidly and can cause serious damage to crops. In the middle part of the day they rest in shady areas near water bodies. Birds seem to prefer drinking at least twice a day. In the late afternoon they once again fly in search of food. Although they prefer the seeds of wild grasses to those of cultivated crops, their huge numbers make them a constant