Published: May 13, 2008 10:34 am            

Bird Bands

Technique studies the movement and behavior of birds

One of the many avian topics that I know very little about is bird banding. Not that I am completely clueless, but my knowledge is skimpy at best and I plan to remedy that on Monday, May 19.

That’s when Austin bird bander Shawn Ashbaugh makes a presentation on the topic at 10 a.m. in the Wimberley community center. He’s the speaker at Wimberley Birding Society’s quarterly meeting and beginning about dawn that morning, he’ll set up mist nets at the Patsy Glenn Refuge, located just behind the community center.

If you’re serious about bird banding, plan on dropping by the refuge anytime between 8 and 9:30 a.m. to see Shawn at work. He’ll hopefully catch birds in the mist nets, place bands on their legs and then release them to go on their merry way. He’ll be providing a live-action demonstration of what bird banding is all about.

In his remarks later that morning, he’ll explain how bird banding is a universal technique for studying the movement, behavior and survival of birds. The North American Bird Banding Program is jointly administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Canadian Wildlife Service. Their respective banding offices have similar policies and functions, using the same bands, data formats and reporting forms. The programs joint coordination dates back to 1923.

I’ve watched bird banders at work and am always impressed with the care and efficiency they demonstrate. The operation reminds me of a jeweler working on a fine diamond – lots of careful respect is displayed.

I’m told there are 23 standard size bands and 5 specially sized bands. They can accommodate everything from small hummingbirds up to the California condor. There are 4 common types of bands, including the standard butt-end type, the lock-on type used on hawks and owls, rivet bands used on eagles and hard metal bands used on birds found in harsh environments – such as salt water – where regular bands would corrode quickly.

What is a butt-end band? I envisioned a band affixed to the bird’s rear end, which sounded uncomfortable. hich it no doubt would be, but turns out butt-end bands are simply round bands with two edges that butt evenly together if closed correctly. This type of band is supplied free of charge to licensed U.S. banders by the Bird Banding Laboratory at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland.

Bird banders must be licensed and have a current permit before they can legally place bands on birds. Shawn Ashbaugh acquired his banding permit under the tutelage of Brent Ortego, a Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist in Victoria.

An accomplished birder and a compiler of Travis Audubon Society’s Rare Bird Alert, Ashbaugh became interested in birds at about age six when his dad presented him with a bird guide as an incentive to complete his Cub Scout merit badge for bird watching.

Who bands birds? Why? How many are banded? How are color bands used? How do you report a bird band? If you’d like answers to questions such as these, don’t miss Ashbaugh’s talk on May 19.

It’s open to the public and is a sure cure for that clueless feeling about bird banding. I’ll see you there.

On a completely different subject, don’t forget to enter my bird poetry contest. As of right now, I have received two entries, so your chances of winning are excellent. Send your poem — it must rhyme — to Poem, 750 Cypress Creek Lane, Wimberley, TX 78676 or jdothall@verizon.net. Deadline is May 31 and there are prizes galore for the winner.

        

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