Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Better Be Safe! Better Call It In!

Any time you find a banded bird, even if its a common one like a Canada Goose, give these folks at the USGS a holler. I found a banded Yellow-eyed Junco a few weeks ago on Mt. Lemmon, and yesterday I heard back with a nifty certificate and some fun information about the bird. Now I feel like I know it so well! It's still only a hunch, but I'm pretty sure this bird's name is LeRoy. 


It's important to take notes or get a photo of all the bands (this particular bird had plenty) as the ordering and coloration of the bands tells the banders different specifics about each individual.


Meet LeRoy (also known as specimen 2030-27116). He is about four years old, he has yellow eyes, he was banded in July of 2011 by Dr. Conway, and he likes long walks on the beach.

5 comments:

  1. Nice post, great photos, and nice to get get some background. However it's common knowledge that yellow-eyed juncos like short walks on the beach.

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    1. Short walks? This fella seemed like a real stroller to me, and I don't see a certificate saying otherwise...

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  2. I'm glad that you found LeRoy. He's a fine chap and the junco ladies really dig his bling.

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    1. He's a 'catch', no doubt, and now he's got papers too, a real pure bred.

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  3. Well, how cool it THAT! I would have had no idea who to contact Laurence! Now I know! Thanks! P.S. how do you contact them?

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