I am trying to schedule banding for my nestlings this year. Last year most of the young were close to 15 days old. We may have to band them earlier this year due to schedule conflicts. At what age are they too young to band? We are using red aluminum open E parakeet leg bands size L and federal bands.
Ed
Question on banding
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Ed Svetich-WI
- Posts: 815
- Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
- Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
- Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.
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Tim Mangan-Kansas
- Posts: 1728
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:25 am
- Location: Kansas, Pittsburg
- Martin Colony History: 2016 - 22 Pair
Ed:
As a general rule, I band nestlings between 12 & 22 days of age. I also use the E. Parakeet for auxiliary bands. If parents are good providers, some nestlings will be large enough to band at possibly 10 & 11 doa. You just have to look at them to make sure they are large enough so the band cannot slip down over the knuckle and onto the talon.
Tim
As a general rule, I band nestlings between 12 & 22 days of age. I also use the E. Parakeet for auxiliary bands. If parents are good providers, some nestlings will be large enough to band at possibly 10 & 11 doa. You just have to look at them to make sure they are large enough so the band cannot slip down over the knuckle and onto the talon.
Tim
Licensed Bander
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
With younger nestlings, the problem is often that their legs are too fat for the bands - it varies, rarely we've banded a 9 day old, sometimes a 10-11 day old. The band, when closed, should be able to rotate on the leg.
As Tim says, ages 12-22 work fine - though 22 day olds get a bit wild and need to be plugged inside their cavities afterwards, giving them time to calm down.
As Tim says, ages 12-22 work fine - though 22 day olds get a bit wild and need to be plugged inside their cavities afterwards, giving them time to calm down.
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Ed Svetich-WI
- Posts: 815
- Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
- Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
- Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.
Thank you both. I knew that there was an issue with the legs of younger nestlings, but could not remember the specifics. I will aim for 12-20 day old nestlings. Hopefully, my bander's schedule will allow us to maximize the number of nestlings we are able to band.
Ed
Ed
Where do you find someone to band birds in your colony? Is there a way to find out who is authorized to band in a certain region or state. Thanks in advance for any information.
2011...1 pair
2012...2 pair
2013...9 pair/40eggs/25fledged
2014..14 pair/70eggs/57fledged
2012...2 pair
2013...9 pair/40eggs/25fledged
2014..14 pair/70eggs/57fledged
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Ed Svetich-WI
- Posts: 815
- Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
- Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
- Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.
I originally contacted the local Audubon Society. That led to several other phone calls over a couple weeks and eventually to the university. I began calling in the fall to gauge interest and followed up early the next year. Not everyone was interested in banding martins as they had other species that they were banding for various projects.
It adds a whole new dimension to martins, especially since one SY male returned this year wearing one of my red bands.
Ed
It adds a whole new dimension to martins, especially since one SY male returned this year wearing one of my red bands.
Ed