In this post I will attempt to persuade everyone that birds are neat. No, that's not quite the right word....birds are cool, no....birds are interesting, yes, but not enough....birds are awesome! Yes, if you didn't know before how awesome birds are then you will now. I'll admit some of you will take some convincing (a.k.a. my sister Lisa) but I'm always up for the challenge.
Here at ARK bird ringing (or banding as its called back home) is a common activity that brings up-close and personal encounters between bird and human. ARK has a number of different research projects based on the ringing of birds. But I suppose the first natural question from the skeptic is "Why be interested in birds?" and secondly, "If someone could become interested in birds, why ring them?"
Paradise Flycatcher
Pygmy Kingfisher
Question # 1: There are many potential answers that have convinced many other skeptics in the past. The myriad of colours and songs possessed by birds has always been their main attraction to people all over the world. These features, along with some tasting mighty fine, has at times been extremely detrimental to particular species. I will admit that it has taken quite some time for me to accept the cold, hard, truth, that I'm a birder. Is my fascination with birds as extreme as keeping a Life List? No, but I'm sure the time is coming. Let me explain that while I'm still more excited to see a lion, one just does not see many lions, even in Kenya. Birds on the other hand are everywhere and their behaviour and physical ability is simply amazing. I recommend you watch BBC's Life of Birds narrated by David Attenborough and your relationship with birds will be radically altered. In fact, I'll lend my copy when we're back in Canada. Finally, if your still not convinced then you had better come to terms to the fact that Jesus was a birder (Matthew 13:32, Luke 12:6, Luke 12:24). As Christians we have been taught to follow His teachings, so if you're still ticking off "good deeds" on your Road to Salvation List then its time to pick up birding.
Question # 2: Ringing involves the placement of a metal or plastic ring (or band) around the leg of a bird. There are rings for every size of bird and each one has an ID number and contact address that is completely unique. People have now been ringing birds for scientific reasons for well over a hundred years but why would anyone want to put a numbered metal band around the legs of eagles, ducks and hummingbirds. Initially it was to discover where birds went. A hundred years ago no one had the faintest idea where birds came from or where they went as seasons changed. It was even believed birds flew to the moon and back. But as ringing schemes developed people began to discover that birds made incredible journeys. An Arctic Tern ringed in Britain, was found to have flown all the way to Melbourne, Australia; a distance of over 22,000 km in only 3 months! The Bar-Tailed Godwit makes an astounding migration across the Pacific from New Zealand to Alaska in one non-stop flight covering 11,000 km in about 9 days!! The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, in all its tiny splendor, migrates straight across the Gulf of Mexico in about 20 hrs!!! Ringing birds can also tell scientists how old birds can become. A Max Shearwater is currently the oldest known living bird. It was banded in 1953 as an adult of at least 5 yrs of age. Retrapped in 2003, it turns out to be at least 55 yrs old! As well, scientists can also estimate populations size and structure all from attaching rings to bird legs.
But how does one go about catching birds that fly above our heads? It depends on species of course but one of the main ways is to use Mist Nets. These are very fine nets that become invisible to on-coming birds when stretched out between poles. Flying birds collide with the mesh of the net and fall into a specially designed pocket that then entraps the bird as it struggles to get out.
Setting up a mist net. An entangled Golden Palm Weaver.
Then comes the difficult part of extracting the bird without hurting it or damaging feathers because the mesh snags on almost anything including sticks, leaves, clothing, even the wrinkles on fingers.
Extracting a Pygmy Kingfisher, interestingly their toes are fused together because they only use their feet to perch.
After various biometrics are recorded such as weight, length, and feather condition (the really good ornithologists can age a bird based on its feathers, looking at various characteristics such as old/new, juvenile/adult, and colour) the bird is ringed and released unharmed.
Taking head length...
...wing length...
...feather condition...
...weight...
...and no I don't love birds that much. I'm blowing the feathers apart to determine if the bird is molting.
Finally, the ring is secured on the leg...
...and the bird released unharmed.
Well I hope you are all now convinced that birds are awesome and if not, hopefully I've at least instilled a little bit more amazement, wonder and awe in creation that God saw as very good.
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