To observe birds in their natural setting is one of my favorite pastimes. Binoculars are generally indispensable to properly identify a species from a distance, because most will not tolerate being encroached upon. Seeing wild birds from close-up is a rare privilege. Banding stations offer such views. One I am familiar with and have visited repeatedly is located not too far from Colorado Springs at Chico Basin Ranch, in the eastern reaches of El Paso County.
In addition to being an environmentally-conscious, conservation-oriented, active cattle ranch, Chico Basin is the number one birding hotspot in El Paso County as its terrain lies along a migratory route. For that reason, the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, under the auspices of the US Department of the Interior, organizes a four-week banding event staffed by master banders each spring and fall. Nets are erected in densely vegetated areas, and avians that get entangled in the fine mesh are carefully extracted. To keep them calm and protected until their evaluation, they are enclosed in hand-sewn cotton bags corresponding to their various sizes, and hung on a numbered rack according to the nets where they were found.

Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station, with seating for school classes and other interested observers
When it is the bird’s turn, it is pored over painstakingly. Its feathers are examined, fat stores assessed, wingspan and tail length measured. Age and sex is determined with the help of additional parameters, such as state of plumage, degree of skull ossification, and stage of molting. When a captive’s identity is still uncertain, beak and other, more arcane measurements are in order. Banding stations are repositories of the tools of the trade, and of relevant ornithological literature. A copy of the Bible of banders, Peter Pyle’s Identification of North American Birds is mandatory, as is the tabular version which enumerates numerous pertinent details about distinguishing features of each species. Nobody knows everything, but every bander knows where to look up information. And fast, to limit the amount of handling time and stress.
A light, numbered aluminum band, that does not interfere with flight, is then selected from a neatly organized tackle box, and fastened to one leg, based on that extremity’s thickness. Experienced banders know which diameter to choose, but a nifty gauge, or one of many lists can assist in the selection. Its unique serial number allows tracking of avian movements over vast distances. Recapture at the site of original banding to which individuals may return during future migrations occurs not infrequently. I was surprised to learn that the likelihood is only 1 in 10,000 in a different location. Very recently, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology published an online article about a Yellow Warbler being banded in northern Colombia, before it was re-captured in New York State 2 months and 2300 miles later, no small sensation.
The final step consists of establishing the bird’s weight by placing it head first in a tube large enough to hold it, while immobilizing it sufficiently to prevent injuries. That accomplished, it either wriggles out on its own once the cylinder is held horizontally, or, more typically, the bander extricates it, cups it between two hands, then slowly lifts the uppermost. After this ordeal, the feathered creatures fly off into the adjacent trees, a few immediately, others following a moment of reorientation.

The Yellow-breasted Chat from the photo above is being weighed

While all this measuring is going on, the information needs to be recorded as well.
The differing reactions to their capture are equally fascinating. Some individuals seem silent and subdued, others anxious and agitated. A few appear utterly indignant at their confinement and express their displeasure vocally and voluminously.

White-eyed Vireo, a rare visitor in El Paso County

Spotted Towhees occur more frequently

Blue Jays are among the most vocal captives…

…as are Brown Thrashers…

Raptors, like this Cooper’s Hawk, are feisty and fierce (and seldom founds in the nets)
Banders in action are reminiscent of dancers in an artfully choreographed performance. Birds, the beguiling ballerinas, are gently but assuredly lifted, repeatedly rotated, and finally released. As I watch these winged wonders vanish into the foliage, I wish them smooth sailing. May they gain enough weight during their layover to carry them securely to their wintering grounds, find sufficient habitat and nourishment there, and bless us with their presence again come spring.
Click here for the German version/klicken Sie bitte hier für die deutsche Version:
https://tanjaschimmel.wordpress.com/2017/10/19/ein-silberner-ring/
Wonderful post. Learning about birds and teaching about them to the next generation is the only way to ensure their survival!
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Thank you, Cathy. I agree with all my heart.
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Amazing post.
What a great opportunity for both education and seeing these birds up close.
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It is, Vicki. Thank you for stopping by and for commenting, despite your thumb. I hope it’s healing well!
Best,
Tanja
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Thanks for asking, Tanja. I’m using the thumb as normal, but some days it’s very sore indeed and I have to stop typing or using it with some tasks. Since I have Fibromyalgia (allover body pain and a heightened sense of pain when hurt), I suspect this will become a new pain ‘site’ for a long time. Worried about the revelation of ossification right where I hold my camera (which could explain a lot of discomfort or soreness over the last couple of years).
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I hope the pain won’t become chronic for you!
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I loved this. I have long been familiar with banding and have seen banded birds but this is the first time I have read about the process.
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Thank you for stopping by and for commenting. It is an amazing process to watch, and banding stations exist all across the country. Maybe you could find one close to your home and observe. It is so much fun.
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This is very insightful. And you have handled a hawk too! I’m envious. 😀
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Thank you, Nirmala. But I did not get to handle the hawk, nor most of the other birds. The handlers usually release them as fast as possible, to limit stress, and only allow photography when the birds are not too agitated.
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Yeah, that makes sense.
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The birds seem to be all different in personalities , just like us!
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How true. It is really noticeable when one takes some time watching them.
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Such a delicate event and so much is learned! Thank you for your informative post, Tanja. I’ve never attended a ‘bird banding’ but would love to one day.
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I hope you will have the opportunity to witness this remarkable process, Donna, it is entirely captivating.
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Thank you Tanja for such an amazing documentary – I knew almost nothing of bird banding before, so thanks again for examining this vital conservation task.
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Thank you, Nigel, for stopping by and for commenting.
This is an amazing process, and I wish everybody could watch it at least once. I think it would change our attitude toward birds, nature, and conservation.
Best,
Tanja
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[…] a post about bird banding a few weeks back, I mentioned Chico Basin Ranch, an active, environmentally-friendly cattle […]
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