In what manner do avicides function?

Avicides are specifically designed to control bird populations that may be considered pests. Their primary action is toxicological, meaning they contain active ingredients that are harmful when ingested by birds. This toxicity typically leads to mortality or significant health impacts in target bird populations, thereby helping to manage their numbers in areas where they may pose a risk to crops, property, or public health.

While some methods of pest control might focus on attracting or repelling pests, avicides do not function in these ways. Attracting pests would involve luring them in, which is contrary to the purpose of avicides. Repelling pests suggests a deterrence approach, rather than an elimination strategy. Enhancing pest metabolism is unrelated to the purpose of avicides, as these substances do not aim to boost any biological processes in birds. Thus, the most accurate understanding of avicides is their role as toxic agents to birds, affirming the correctness of the stated answer.