And now I know the banding info about this kestrel too.
About three weeks ago I posted photos of a banded male American Kestrel on Antelope Island. I was pretty sure that bird had been banded by HawkWatch International so I sent them my photos and they confirmed my suspicion, telling me when and where they had banded him.
Three days ago I photographed a different banded male American Kestrel on the island.
He was perched on the roof of a picnic pavilion and at first I couldn’t see any bands. But when he performed a wing stretch a green plastic? band on his left leg was revealed.
A tight crop of the same photo makes the lettering on the band easy to read.
From past I experience I know that birds banded by HWI often have two bands – a large, colored plastic band on one leg and a smaller metal Federal band on the other. So I took lots of photos of this bird hoping to see if he had a second band on his right leg. But while I was fiddling with the controls on my camera he took off and I didn’t see where he went so I just gave up and drove away to look for other birds.
But about a half mile down the road I began to wonder if I’d find him in the same area again if I went back. So I did.
And sure enough, there he was, this time perched on the peak of the roof of the same pavilion. It’s a favorite perch for starlings so it’s covered with bird poop. Once again, at first I couldn’t see any bands on his right leg, but when he raised that foot while preening a shiny metal Federal band was revealed.
So yesterday I sent these photos to Nikki Wayment, Executive Director of HWI, and asked her if it was one of “their” birds and she confirmed that it was. She showed the photos to Dave Oleyar, Director of Long-term Monitoring at HWI, and this is what he said about this particular male kestrel.
“He was banded by Jessica on June 24 last year as a nestling in a box on the island. So he survived his winter on the island, and hopefully we’ll find him paired and nesting soon.”
I like knowing, with confirmed accuracy, some of the history of the birds I see and photograph. For this bird photographer it makes life just a little more interesting.
Ron
PS – Normally I never assign pet names to wild birds but with this guy I’m tempted. Yesterday morning I saw him again in almost the same spot as before. It was very close to St. Patrick’s day, he has a green band on one leg and yesterday was my daughter’s birthday. Her name is Shannon.
So I keep thinking of him as “Patrick”.
I meant to comment that his last shot looks like a 70’s Power To The People pose.
Ron,
Great photos and story as always. I appreciate your view on not naming wild animals. Good food for thought.
Duane.
Thank you, Duane.
Of course, the bird isn’t in flight or doing something incredibly tricky to catch, but your lens/camera combination clearly is very sharp and got every detail available in the bird (and the rock!).
Do you think the new MOTUS backpacks are safer than banding or less safe? They give a lot more information, and may reduce the research banding quite a bit–making educational banding the primary use.
I don’t know much about them, Nancy. I’ll have to look into it.
I’m guessing the folks at HWI must be very grateful for the info you’ve provided on two of “their” birds. So gratifying to know that Patrick made it through his first winter – one of the toughest parts of a new raptor’s life, right?
(The positive part about banding.)
“right?”
I believe so, Carolyn. That first winter is usually their most perilous time.
Never noticed the rufous crown. Patrick/Irish/redhead. Good choice.
So I did a little dive into bird banding. Kind of a love (HWI)/hate (USFW monitoring populations for hunting) relationship. Gave a donation to HWI. For better and worse our taxes support USFS.
Yup, love/hate relationship kinda describes it for me too Lyle.
Patrick is a great name! Am actually fond of naming any wild animal that becomes part of a routine. We had a bald eagle that loved the tree outside our living room when I was a kid in Alaska. We named him ‘Mike.’ Loved looking for Mike everyday 🙂
Thanks, Kathleen. I think “Patrick” works well for this bird.
All the Pi Day birthdays! Woo Hoo! 🥧
Hoping Patrick finds a very plucky mate and that they have lots of babies over the years ahead.
Marty, it would be fun to see him nesting this year, especially because he’s easy to ID.
I understand the concern about banding. I was a bander for 40+ years and tried to focus on the information we could gather from banding and how that information would help birds. I do understand the dangers involved and did my best to make sure the band was secure and the bird was let loose quickly.
Yup, I can’t believe I have a daughter who will be 62 this year and a son who is 60 and another son who is 46. Time keeps marching on!!
Dick, at least some banding has to be done. It’s too bad but it does.
I’m also of two minds on banding, not so much the stress, which isn’t horrible and is over quickly. They are subjected to attacks, hunger, and so on naturally and probably survive stress better than we do. Bands however can get caught on little twigs, wires, and so on and then the bird dies of starvation. I know we’ve learned much from banding. And that information has led to some good regulations protecting the bird and habitat. But I wish somehow we didn’t have to.
“But I wish somehow we didn’t have to”
So do I, Sallie. Fervently.
I really like that last photo– it’s almost as if he, too, is checking to make sure it’s there in place. I tend to think of names for animals ( both wild and familiar)
as a sign of recognition/affection and not that of dominion……..
Kris, in most cases I think that’s how folks feel when they name wild critters. But for me personally I tend to feel uncomfortable doing it because it seems to imply depriving them of some of their wildness.
I feel similarly about bands.
Yes – Happy Birthday to Shannon. My youngest brother who lives in Colorado Springs hits 72 today.
Good photos and story about the banded Kestrels. I have once participated in banding a pair of kestrels here with one of our Kestrel restoration people and an AZ Fish & Game person. A very special moment in time I will not forget.
Yes – no names for wild birds. I did a story with our local paper about our nesting eagles and the reporter asked if I named them. I said – no way – they belong to God and nature not me.
Everett, I’ve never helped with bird banding. I just don’t feel comfortable putting that much stress on them, even though I know at least some banding has to be done.
Patrick. A good name. I’m not one for naming wild birds or other animals. But I admit that my wife and I have named the female Coopers who has frequented our backyard fountain for the past year “Ms Coops”, and I have named a solitary seal who has frequented my favorite beach for many years “Wally” (as he reminds me of the office mate of the Dilbert cartoon character). When you have repeated encounters with such life forms, it’s hard not to form an attachment and a certain familiarity with them. And is our nature, giving them a name cements that relationship.
Michael, usually I find assigning pet names to wild critters to be somehow demeaning, as if we’re relegating them to a diminished status. But sometimes it’s hard to resist and for me this is one of those times.
Neat! Great to know some are “making it” despite tough times……. 🙂 Hope he continues to thrive! Wonderful shots to capture the info.
Thank you, Judy.
Well hello Patrick and a very happy birthday to Shannon.
Mark, I can’t believe I have a daughter who’s almost 50 years old (she turned 49 yesterday).
Time DOES have a way of getting away from us! Glad Shannon is here to celebrate another “trip around the sun”….. 🙂
“Glad Shannon is here to celebrate another “trip around the sun””
As you know Judy, she very nearly didn’t make that trip.
Had to since she & I share a B-Day……. 😉
Happy Belated Birthday, Judy!
Bands are so exciting!
I’m happy to hear he survived his first winter! Keep an eye on Patrick there and maybe get some mate photos.
I’ll be watching for him Shane, you can count on it.