Birds Owl banding event

[iamdlewis]

So last night I was able to attend an Owl Banding event thanks to my local birding organization (DOSbirds.org). It was not a great night for catching Northern Saw-whet owls, the target, since it was a full moon and cloudless. The only owl that was netted in the night was a screech owl that was netted earlier in the season. This was actually a great catch since the first time it was caught it was very under weight and this time it was at a very healthy weight and they felt comfortable getting all the measurements this time.

Per requirements I must say: "All birds were handled and banded for research purposes under state and federal permits."

• ILCE-1
• FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
• 90.0 mm
• ƒ/4.5
• 1/125 sec
• ISO 6400

Wing measurements

• ILCE-1
• FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
• 90.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/125 sec
• ISO 6400

• ILCE-1
• FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
• 90.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/125 sec
• ISO 6400

Tail measurement

• ILCE-1
• FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
• 90.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/125 sec
• ISO 6400

Body fat checking, which involves blowing on the stomach, something that the owl seemed to enjoy

• ILCE-1
• FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
• 90.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/125 sec
• ISO 6400

Beak measurement

• ILCE-1
• FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
• 90.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/125 sec
• ISO 6400

This is a demo of how one attempts to age an owl which doesn't work for screech owls. Most owls you can age through checking the feathers on the wings since they tend to change color or be replaced on a fairly regular cycle. With this photo you can also see the leading edge feathers which have serrations that reduce the noise generated when flying.

• ILCE-1
• FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
• 90.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/125 sec
• ISO 6400

The bander's hold

• ILCE-1
• FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
• 90.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/125 sec
• ISO 6400

Feet

• ILCE-1
• FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
• 90.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/125 sec
• ISO 6400

The owl got a nice little back and tummy rub to check muscle mass

• ILCE-1
• FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
• 90.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/125 sec
• ISO 6400

• ILCE-1
• FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
• 90.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/125 sec
• ISO 5000

One final shoot before being taken down to the release area

• ILCE-1
• FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
• 90.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/80 sec
• ISO 6400

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

Fascinating!