This is not a project of NYSOA. This information is provided for New York birders who may encounter marked hawks. It was posted to the NYSBIRDS-L mailing list on September 9, 2005.

The following is a request from some researchers in Newfoundland who would like birders to get their eyes out for color banded passerines. If you make a sighting, please report it directly to .

Request for information on sightings of color banded birds in eastern North America: Researchers from Acadia University have color banded >3,000 songbirds of 6 species in western Newfoundland, and are asking birders to be on the lookout for them during migration. Species we have color banded are Northern Waterthrush, Blackpoll Warbler, Yellow-rumped warbler, White-throated Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, and Hermit Thrush. Each bird has been fitted with a unique combination of 4 bands (2 on each leg). Three are colored plastic bands and one is a typical USFWS aluminum band, with the aluminum band always being placed below the color band. Band combinations can be reported as:
Left leg: upper/lower
Right leg: upper/lower
(e.g., L = White/Red    R = Yellow/Aluminum)

However note that we are interested in sightings even if the complete band combination was not seen. Note that white bands are easily confused with aluminum bands, and that there are two colors of blue bands (light powder blue and dark blue).

Many thanks
Darroch Whitaker

Postdoctoral Research Associate
Biology Department
Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Ph: 902-680-2221

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