Banded SY Pair

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

I have two banded SY martins that have apparently paired up and for the past two days have been trying to fight their way into a vacant cavity that has been dominated by an adult pair. I have been watching this pair of SY's very close the past couple of days. The auxiliary band number of the SY male is KS K 054. The band number of the SY female is KS K 055. They were banded at my site on 7-1-16, both from nest # 17. They are brother and sister. It will interesting to see how this unfolds; will they stay together, will they be able to fight for a cavity, will they nest? Here is pic of the SY pair.

[Kyler]

Tim that's great hope everything goes well. Give us updates. But anyways have you ever got a report of a banded SY in Northwest part of Kansas? We have a ton of SubAdult's this year so I will keep a look out.

Kyler,

[BillieJR]

Just out of curiosity - do brother's and sisters mate?

I think that is so cool you have a pair that was banded from your colony last year.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Kyler:
No, I have not.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Billie:
Since only a very small percentage of SY martins return to their birth site, I would guess it is more of a rarity for brother and sister to pair up.

The interesting question for me is, do they recognize each other as siblings? Years ago, Steve Kroenke did an excellent post regarding parents identifying their recently fledged nestlings by sight and vocalization. I have to believe parents can recognize their young to get them to return to the nest after they fledge, especially in the large and super colony's.

[BillieJR]

Yes, I guess that would only make sense for them to recognize their offspring, when you think about it like that.

[SMJohnson]

I know you've had Martin Colonies for many many years.
Including locations in different states.This has got to be
one of the most intriguing experiences you've had to date.
Do you know if they arrived at the same time. Is it possible
they've been traveling together since they left your place.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

No, they did not arrive here at the same time. He showed up two or three days before she did so they were not traveling together. This is a first for me to have brother and sister "apparently" paired up. They are still here trying to acquire a cavity.

[SMJohnson]

In all your years of banding do you have a record of how many Martins you've banded
and how many you've noticed back at your site.

[SMJohnson]

If I remember correctly your in a housing development that has you limited as to the amount of units you are able to put up.
How many compartments do you have. How many are occupied.? Is their hatching site occupied?

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

I have one pole with 12 house cavities and 12 gourds. All cavities are taken or dominated by ASY pairs. The SY pair in question were raised in a gourd and that particular gourd is one of two gourds being dominated by an adult pair. I have had SY martins nest at my current site but it is not until the adult females start laying eggs. At that time some SY's are able to acquire the previously dominated cavity.

We are not under any HOA rules at current site. However, we have a very small yard. We live in a new subdivision and are surrounded by neighbors homes. I have elected not to add a second pole as I do not want to possibly offend my neighbors with both the additional noise and increased droppings onto our their property.

I started my current colony in 2014. Since then, I have banded 167 nestlings of which nine have returned. None of the nine banded SY's have stayed here to nest due to not being able to find a vacant cavity. Possibly more banded SY martins have returned and I have just not noticed them. Often times, a banded SY will only stay a day or two and then move on in an attempt to find a nesting site. Here is pic of my current site.

[SMJohnson]

Sharp looking yard. Is that the height you leave your pole system? Looks like all Troyer Horizon Gourds.
Weren't you experimenting with 45° angled tunnels. Couldn't see any in the pic. Do you have extra vents
on the gourds? Looks like you've got an electric predator guard. Ever had an owl predation problem?
Have either of the ASY pairs dominating an extra gourd laid eggs yet? Are you still having any ASY birds
show up? I'm hoping the banded SY pair finds a spot. That is such an interesting story.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Yes, that is my normal height of the housing on my pole. Right now it has been about 10" lower due to all the storms we have had. When we get past all the spring storms, I will raise it a little, especially if I have nestlings ready to fledge.

All of my gourds and houses are vented.

Yes, I installed an electric guard on bottom of my pole a couple years ago. I also use tree netting above the electric wire.

So far, I have not had an owl problem. Pretty sure I did have an owl attack two years ago but was unsuccessful. I do use the owl guard lights on my housing but can't say for sure if it helps.

I have not had any additional ASY arrivals. The adult pairs protecting more than one cavity have just started laying their clutches. I did notice this morning the banded SY pair are still here so we will just have to wait and see what happens.

IMO, the martins love the tunnels with the 45 degree turn. All of my THG's have this modification and I have also done the same to all but a couple of my cavities on both houses. Gives the martins added protection if an owl/hawk were to try to reach in. Here is picture of my current housing.

[SMJohnson]

Hey Tim Magnam
I noticed in the photo on this post the 45° angled tunnels.
I'm trying to do the same and having a difficult time finding
the right size parts to fit together. Any suggestions?

[Unk Bond]

Tim that's great hope everything goes well. Give us updates. But anyways have you ever got a report of a banded SY in Northwest part of Kansas? We have a ton of SubAdult's this year so I will keep a look out.

Kyler,

==============================
Hello Tim
Hope all goes well for you.
This is very interesting . Never thought about banding my Martin birds.
Banding birds isn't new to me. We youst to band are rollers and homing pigeons.

What has me stumped here is how you got these old birds to let you see there bands to read the numbers.Tim where dose one acquire Martin bands. Thanks Later

[SSMartin]

Mr. Bond,

It is my understanding that only licensed by the state banders can band migratory birds legally. It is fairly uncommon to have a bander come out and band ones birds unless they are participating in a study or other scientific reason to band the birds.

[Unk Bond]

Mr. Bond,

It is my understanding that only licensed by the state banders can band migratory birds legally. It is fairly uncommon to have a bander come out and band ones birds unless they are participating in a study or other scientific reason to band the birds.

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Hello
I appreciate your in put and explanation here.
Learn something new every day here. Nice sight. Later and Thanks

[dsonyay]

I have two banded SY martins that have apparently paired up and for the past two days have been trying to fight their way into a vacant cavity that has been dominated by an adult pair. I have been watching this pair of SY's very close the past couple of days. The auxiliary band number of the SY male is KS K 054. The band number of the SY female is KS K 055. They were banded at my site on 7-1-16, both from nest # 17. They are brother and sister. It will interesting to see how this unfolds; will they stay together, will they be able to fight for a cavity, will they nest? Here is pic of the SY pair.

If they were banded in 2016 how are they SYs? They would have had to be banded last year if they’re SYs correct? Or did you mean ASYs banded in 2016?? If banded in 2016 those look like two females ASYs

[deancamp]

I was thinking the same thing, but this post originated in 2017.

[Unk Bond]

I have two banded SY martins that have apparently paired up and for the past two days have been trying to fight their way into a vacant cavity that has been dominated by an adult pair. I have been watching this pair of SY's very close the past couple of days. The auxiliary band number of the SY male is KS K 054. The band number of the SY female is KS K 055. They were banded at my site on 7-1-16, both from nest # 17. They are brother and sister. It will interesting to see how this unfolds; will they stay together, will they be able to fight for a cavity, will they nest? Here is pic of the SY pair.

If they were banded in 2016 how are they SYs? They would have had to be banded last year if they’re SYs correct? Or did you mean ASYs banded in 2016?? If banded in 2016 those look like two females ASYs

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The bird on the left thats not cowed down . Looks like a male to me [ Later.