Bird banding is our primary method of collecting research data on
neotropical migrants and resident species. In addition to
banding, RRBO participates in several cooperative research projects
and bird counts.
Cooperative Research
LaMMNA and Avian Influenza
RRBO is a member of the Landbird Migration Monitoring Network of the Americas
(LaMMNA) and participates in the long-term monitoring of neotropical
migrants. One of the studies in which we are currently participating is the four-year study of avian influenza, a
cooperative DNA sampling project that will hopefully increase our knowledge and
preparedness by cataloguing the occurrence and distribution of avian influenza
sub-types, identify transmission paths in North American migratory birds, and
further the goals of developing custom vaccines against Influenza A.
RRBO collected 243 cloacal samples from 47 different species for this study
during 2006/2007 migrations.
Comparative Study
One of our ongoing research projects will involve comparative studies of birds banded
by the original RRBO from 1973 to 1987, and those banded by the new RRBO.
Although there are many stations that have been monitoring birds through
continuous effort banding for much longer time periods, we are still interested
in this comparison for several reasons. One difference here is that there
has been no "disturbance" due to the presence of banding stations, excess
people, feeders, or for that matter, many birders.
We have no shortage of banding records for comparative study. These
file boxes contain 3x5 index cards for birds banded at the original RRBO - one
card to a bird, recording all the data taken at the time of banding (remember,
this was before computerized banding programs!). Volunteers?
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