Migration Patterns and Purpose

Why Migrate?Food availability

Weather

Mating

So where to?Many birds follow

migration corridors called flyways

Following important habitat features; food water etc.

Wintering GroundsThe place where a

migratory bird spends the winter

Important places throughout the US include South Texas, Louisiana marshes South Florida

As far south as Central and South America

Canada Warbler

Why Band a Bird?

Tells scientists several things about different populations

Where birds go

How they get there

How long they live

Measurements TakenWing Chord (shoulder to tip)

Tail Length

Sex

Age

Species

Weight

Data CollectionUSGS Bird Banding Laboratory, Patuxent

Maryland

Place where all information is stored

Every bird banded in North America has an entry in the banding labs database

Info about a recaptured bird can be looked up in database

Migratory Bird LawsMigratory bird treaty act of 1918

Partnership between The United States, Mexico, Russia, The United Kingdom (Canada), and Japan

Federally protects nearly every aspect of a migratory birds life

Migratory Bird Laws cont.Prohibited actions under Migratory Bird

Treaty Act

Harass, kill, capture, move, sell, buy, possess, any migratory bird or part of a migratory bird including nests and feathers.

Unless authorized by the Department of the Interior, hunting seasons, permits to possess etc.

Photo CreditsSnow Geese: http://tripcart.typepad.com/tripcart_the_blog/potd/page/2/

Flyways One: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/hunt/waterfow/process.htm

Winter: http://www.vdberk.co.uk/winterhardiness.html

Grasshopper: http://photoshd.wordpress.com/2008/06/29/my-grasshopper-friend/

Pair Bond: http://www.digitalhit.com/posters/p/3508119

Flyways Two: http://mapathon.com/copy.htm

Canada Warbler Map: http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2008/03/boreal_and_south_american_bird.php

Banding: Adam Landon 2010

Snow Goose Neck Band: http://birdband.sasktelwebhosting.com/

Leg Band: http://www.singing-wings-aviary.com/birdbanding.htm

Bird on Scale: Adam Landon 2010

Bird Wing Measure: Amanda Filipi 2010