[TN-Bird] Loving some birds to death by banding

Michael Sylva wrote:  
    "Maybe someone else has calculated a hypothetical recovery 
rate based on empirical data and sound mathematics.  Also, I would think that 
there are figures on the number of birds killed or injured during the banding 
process.  That would offer a fairer indication than a single anecdote, namely, 
the calliope hummingbird. It seems to me that Thornton is trying to arrange the 
facts to fit his 
preconceived conclusion."

The data I used was based on figures published by the Patuxent Wildlife 
Research Center in their article, 100 years of bird banding in North America 
1902 - 2002.  The link to that site was included in my original post.  I trust 
that the USGS/Patuxent researcher who posted the information was using "sound 
mathematics" but if Mr. Sylva has a concern that their figures, then that is 
his problem.

There are guidelines that banders follow with regard to their kill/injury rate. 
 I think they try to keep it to 10% or less.

As far as the single anecdote of the Calliope Hummingbird being killed in the 
banding process in Ohio. it proves my point precisely -- in some cases, we are 
loving certain species of birds to death by banding.  If that single Calliope 
hummer had been in my back yard, it would probably have represented the entire 
known population of Calliope's in Cumberland County at that time.  For a bander 
to come in and kill it in the name of scientific study means that 100% of the 
known Calliope Hummingbirds at that moment were killed in my county.  I would 
call that loving a bird to death by banding -- or have I missed something here?

Terry Thornton
Rinnie, TN (North of Crossville on the Cumberland Plateau)


  



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