Banded Birds Fly To Distant Lands

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30880, 13 October 1965, Page 8

Banded Birds Fly To Distant Lands

,4 The Press" Special Service WELLINGTON. Oct. 12. More than 100.000 birds of 100 species have been banded by the Dominion Museum to the end of lf)f>3 and some I have been recovered in places [as far apart as Japan, Chile, [South Africa and Antarctica i The bird-branding scheme, which began in 1950 under the auspices of the Ornithological Society of New Zea-i land, is run by the Dominion Museum where the records are kept. Bands and equipment are supplied to approved ornithoilogists, professional and amateur, throughout New Zealand. The aim of the project is to obtain accurate information about tiie movements and habits of birds. Apart from its scientific value, such knowledge is essential for effective conservation of native species, for management of game birds and for the control of those which are considered pests. Up to 1963, more than [ 100,000 birds of 100 species had been banded throughout New Zealand and more than 8000 had been recovered. Some 20,000 birds are now being banded each year. Some of the longer records are:—

Royal albatross, banded off Cape Campbell, October 10, 1957—recovered in Chile, September 7, 1958.

White capped mollyhawk, banded off Cape Campbell, March 4. 1958—recovered in South Africa, May 3, 1959.

Sootv shearwater, banded in Cook Strait, November 5, 1958—recovered in Japan, May 20, 1959.

Gannett banded in the Hauraki Gulf, December 29, 1957—recovered in New

South Wales, January 21. 1955. White fronted tern, banded Ijdce Ellesmere. January 3. 1954—recovered in Victoria. Australia, August 20, 1959.

Cape pigeon, banded Tory Channel. July 19. 1958 recovered in Wilks Land. Antarctica, December. 1958.

A second New Zealand banding scheme is run by the wildlife branch of the internal Affairs Department and deals with game birds and water fowl only.

Many foreign countries have bird-banding schemes, with which the New Zealand organisation is in touch. In recent years birds which were banded abroad have been found in New Zealand. These include: —

Giant petrel, banded Heard Island, Indian Ocean, February 14, 1954—recovered at Muriwai, Auckland, July 25, 1954. Giant petrel, banded at Signey Island, South Atlantic Ocean, March 22, 1956 —recovered at Kamo. Northland, November 11. 1956. Cape pigeon, banded Weddel Sea. South Atlantic Ocean, July 1, 1958, recovered at Tory Channel, August 5, 1958. Grey teal, banded at Lara, Victoria, Australia, May 12, 1957—recovered Lake Whangape, May 7, 1959.

The numbered bands are bringing to light much information about the migration, habits, length of life and causes of death of wild New Zealand birds. Apart from ducks and other' game birds, which are shot for sport, no bird seen wearing a band should be harmed, for it may be under observation by the bander. In the case of a banded bird found dead or so sick that it could not be released, the band should be removed and returned to the Dominion Museum, Wellington, said the officer in charge of the scheme (Mr C. J. R. Robert: son). However, if any banded bird was caught alive and healthy, the number and address on its band should be carefully noted. It should Ire released again still wearing its band as it could possibly be recovered again at another place. Mr Robertson said the number on the bird’s band, the date, place and circumstances of recovery should be reported as soon as possible. The success of the banding scheme, he said, depended to a large extent on the reporting of bands by members of the public who found them. Every band returned added another item of information and could mean an entirely new discovery. The museum, in return would inform the finder where the bird was banded and how old it was, Mr Robertson said.