[wisb] Northern Shrike 6+ yrs old

As some of you know, I've been casually researching Northern Shrikes in the 
Ashland area since 2005 and have trapped and banded over 100 individuals during 
that time. I mark all birds with color bands on one or both legs to allow for 
field identification without recapture, which has been invaluable to 
understanding territory establishment, site fidelity, survivorship, etc. This 
past Sunday I finally was able to confirm the band combination for an adult 
female that has been on territory here all winter. And I'm excited to report 
that I first banded her as an adult on the same territory back on 17 March 
2006! I've seen her on this territory at least part of every year since. She is 
at least 6 years, 8 months old and represents the oldest known individual of 
this poorly-studied species in North America.

Here are some photos of the bird from Sunday. You can't see the bands here but 
I got the color combo by watching the bird eat a cached vole for 10+ minutes, 
moving around frequently in the process. Not extraordinary photos but fun to 
document a memorable day for me.

http://www.pbase.com/rbrady/image/132940411
http://www.pbase.com/rbrady/image/132940410
http://www.pbase.com/rbrady/image/132940409


Ryan Brady
Washburn, Bayfield County, WI
http://www.pbase.com/rbrady                                       
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