Songbird Banding at Las Cienegas for the MAPS program

By Aya Pickett

Vermilion Flycatcher, all photos by Aya Pickett unless noted otherwise

This year, I had the absolute joy and privilege to take part in restarting a bird banding station at Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. The station had been collecting important data at a riparian site for almost 20 years before it shut down due to staffing in 2019. The MAPS program (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) studies songbird survival as part of a rigorous continental research program.

Following in the footsteps of previous years, we banded birds from mid May to early August, specifically targeting the breeding season. In total, we ended up banding over 300 individuals of almost 50 species. Species highlights included western Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Lazuli Bunting, and a young Cooper’s Hawk! We also caught a few birds that were banded in previous years. One particularly notable recapture was a female Summer Tanager who was originally banded as a second year bird in 2015, making it 9 years old! Looking through old banding records, we found that she spent her first breeding season at the site and has continued to come back for the last 8 years; that’s data that can only be achieved with such intensive and long-term effort. By continuing to collect banding data at this location, we can add to this long term database and discover broader trends in bird breeding behavior.

Young Cooper’s Hawk that was caught on the last day of banding, Adam Hannuksela; Lazuli Bunting, Aya Pickett

When a bird is first captured, we give them a small, aluminum leg band that has a unique 9 digit number and is required by the Fish and Wildlife Service. If the bird is recaptured, it can give insight into its age and movement. This is especially interesting with breeding birds, which can come back to the same site year after year.

In addition to banding the bird, we also collect highly detailed information that couldn’t be collected any other way. Data we collect includes:

• Age: by looking at molt patterns
• Sex: using plumage coloration and breeding characteristics such as brood patch and cloacal protuberance
• Amount of fat: an indicator of a bird that is actively migrating
• Wing length: used by researchers who look at effects of climate change on birds

Banding equipment used to put bands on birds and take measurements

 

Aya Pickett holding a Vermilion Flycatcher, the official mascot of Tucson Audubon

It’s important to note that while we love to work with these amazing birds and collect data on them, bird safety always comes first. When we are handling any live bird, we watch for signs of stress, work as quickly as possible to minimize handling time, and only allow experienced individuals to do any handling. Since birds in the arid southwest are relatively understudied, it is especially important to be collecting data on their long term patterns. In addition, we would like to educate others on our research and why it is important.

Adam Hannuksela and Emily Clark (Sonoran Joint Venture) looking aging a White-breasted Nuthatch by looking at molt patterns

Next year, we hope to invite members of the public to our banding days. In a world where science is often misunderstood, banding provides a unique opportunity to show the public scientific processes in action while relaying important information about bird populations. Seeing birds up close can also be a spark for those who haven’t had a connection to nature before.

Even though I’ve worked with thousands of birds, I’m still in awe every time I have the opportunity to band. It is such a privilege to work with these populations and I hope to be able to share the joy with more people in the future.

All banding, marking, and sampling is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory.

Aya Pickett is actively pursuing her Master Bander's certification which will increase Tucson Audubon's ability to perform critical bird research.