White-Eyed Vireo
If anyone knows how much birds hate to be handled, it’s me. My indoor birds remind me of this constantly, and I don’t pick them up unless I absolutely have to. I’m not trying to offend anyone by posting these pictures.
Ovenbird
But before I get on to writing in a future post about the primary reason for why I was in Belize–which was to be part of a group of 7 volunteers that helped Operation Rubythroat set up mist nets to catch and band Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds and transcribe banding data…and all the reasons why they are doing this…
Black-and-White Warbler
I wanted to share some pictures of other birds banded that I never could have seen so closely.
Hooded Warbler
Suffice it to say I learned a lot in 8 days.
Northern Parula
For those of you still uncomfortable with the handling of the birds, we checked the nets constantly, moving birds still captive and waiting to be banded or shown out of the sunlight, and they survived well. I believe there was one casualty in a net on our last day, which was cut short due to inclement weather. I suppose the biggest testimonial to survival was the birds, already banded, recaptured from previous years.
Northern Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush
The Northern Waterthrush was one of perhaps three or more we banded, but the Louisiana Waterthrush was the first one ever seen at Crooked Tree in Belize. See if you can tell the difference this close up. The distinguishing features are still subtle, but the Northern looks more “yellow” than the Louisiana and has denser streaking.
Tennessee Warbler banded 3-9-14
Tennessee Warbler banded 3-10-14
Compare the difference between these two Tennessee Warbler individuals. The one above is a male not finished with his molt and the one below is most likely a female. Banders can consult The Identification Guide to North American Birds: Part 1 and Part 2 by Peter Pyle to help distinguish between the sexes by length of the wing and tail feathers.
Male Yellow Warbler
You may have noticed that all the migrant warblers are not quite as decked out as they will be by the time they reach us. This Yellow Warbler was just developing his rufous streaks.
Clay-Colored Thrush, National Bird of Costa Rica
The last bird on this post is not a neotropical migrant and therefore was not banded. But I thought it best expressed any indignation at being handled, for all the other birds banded on this page. And I probably never would have seen the beautiful streaking on its throat, in the field.
How wonderful!
Thanks, Julie!
thanks for sharing..the close ups are fabulous and I agree, you would never be able to see them like this..thanks ever so much for sharing
Thanks, Syl! I know my jaw dropped to the floor when he pulled the Hooded Warbler out of the bag. 🙂
You’re so lucky to see them that close. Nice birds! I know that banding is necessary for studies but I personally don’t like it. Good post Lisa! 🙂
Thanks, H.J. I hope to explain why he is doing this in my next post. It’s more of a big-picture issue. 🙂
I enjoy attending our local bird ringer. She is wonderfully careful and patient in her handling of the birds. It does let you get pictures which are otherwise impossible.
I have been searching for a photo of a pair of birds we had in an old conifer tree in Somerset, England and the nearest I’ve found is your photo of the Northern Parula. Is this possible, that a pair could make it across the Atlantic?
Hi, Jenny. Wow, I don’t know how you found my photo but welcome! As far as whether Northern Parulas could find their way to England, I don’t know – it seems highly unlikely as they are rare in Nova Scotia and that is as far northeast as they have been reported. A pair is perhaps even less likely. But birds fly and therefore defy expectations all the time. I am not familiar enough with birds on your side of the world to suggest maybe another species but I would look at African migrants, maybe…this will give me an excuse to open up some field guides, I’ll let you know if I find anything!