Thanks to Dawn Garcia who is conducting bird-banding studies at the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER) (http://www.csuchico.edu/bei/BCCER/bccer.htm ) the White-tailed Kite, beginning this month, will be presenting general information about bird banding as well as specific results of Dawn’s banding activities.  Here’s this month’s installment (Ed.)

A  Bird in the Hand -Why Band Birds?

Many people have asked the question “why band birds?”  Bird banding is a centuries old practice used by European falconers who wanted to keep track of their birds. Banding is also an important tool used in research. Most birders have heard the story of John J. Audubon stringing silver threads around the legs of phoebes, wondering if this migratory species came back year after year (site fidelity).  Species longevity such as the Laysan albatross that lived 50 years and 8 months, and the Hermit thrush that survived 9 years and 4 months, is determined through banding.  Population and community demographics, trends, migratory patterns, and individual or species behavior can also be determined through banding.  Specific monitoring programs will be highlighted next month.

Following are some of the songbirds and owls banded at the BCCER between October 6^th and 30^th by Dawn and her assistants, some of whom were Altacal members.  The purpose of the banding was to determine if migrants (songbirds and Northern Saw-whet Owls) were using the BCCER as a movement corridor.  Results seem to indicate that they are, most particularly Hermit Thrushes and Northern Saw-whet Owls.

The species (and totals) of birds banded were: Hermit Thrush (19), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (6), Song Sparrow (1), Fox Sparrow (1), Golden-crowned Sparrow (4), Spotted Towhee (6), Bewick’s Wren (2), American Dipper (1), Belted Kingfisher (1), Black Phoebe (1), Bushtit (8), Hutton’s Vireo (1), California Towhee (1), Northern Saw-whet Owl (14), and Western Screech-Owl (2).