Bird Banding

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Bird banding (or bird ringing) is a scientific research method based on the individual marking of birds. All records of banded birds, including that of the first capture, the recapture at the same or another place, even that of the final recovery as a dead bird will give us plenty of information about its life. Bird banding is one of the most effective and old method to study the biology, ecology, behavior, movements, breeding and productivity and population demography of birds. The main am of our bird banding on Venezuela is the monitoring of bird migration, and the breeding and wintering bird population using constant effort. The unique combination of each band allows the researchers to draw migration routes and the life span of the birds, as long as some birds are recaptured or found in another area.

Furthermore, during the banding process several more biometric data can be retrieved that, compared to data of previous years can help drawing conclusions for the migration in general and for the status of the wintering and breeding habitats. 

Methodology

Standardised bird banding takes place every day from dawn and up to eight hours, except for days with adverse weather conditions. Species determination, as well as aging and sexing of birds are carried out. The basic measurements taken are wing length, tail length, tarsus length, fat and muscle scores and body mass. Birds are caught with special nets (mist-nets). Usually the position and size of the nets are constant during sampling and between sampling seasons.

Bandings are performed according to international standards under the supervision of experimented (master) banders and usually takes place without the use of luring. Extra mist-nets and the use of luring takes place only during special projects.

Venezuela

In Venezuela, since the late 20th century, have been banded in different places (e.g. Henri Pittier National Park and Sierra Nevada National Park) and by various institutions and associations (Ministry of Environment-MINAMB, Universidad de los Andes-ULA or Sociedad Conservacionista Audubon Venezuela-SCAV).

From 1970s to mid 1980s, the Ministry of Environment and Renewable Resources conducted a whistling ducks banding program. At Henri Pittier National Park since 1990, SCAV have banded over 42,000 birds. Since late 20th century, researchers at the Universidad de los Andes, are banding migratory birds in the Sierra Nevada National Park. The population of breeding flamingos at Los Olivitos (Zulia state) has been banded some years, having tagged about 400 chicks between 1999 and 2001. At Yacambú National Park, Margarita Island, Cojedes state and UNELLEZ-Guanare have also been banded birds during specific studies.

Currently Fundación Científica ARA MACAO is conducting bird banding in various parts of Venezuela, framed on three different projects. One focused on the study of the tyrant flycatchers (called atrapamoscas in Venezuela), another in the archipelago of Los Roques, to study migratory and resident species, and another in the Cojedes state (Western Central Plains). We are using bands with WWW.BIOGEOMATIC.COM inscription.