10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2015

The nickel was placed in the nest for the photo to show me the size of the egg for identification purposes, then removed. Even though the female lays only two eggs per nest attempt, they enjoy a protracted breeding season in which multiple nesting attempts can occur every 30 days, and in Southern locations, nearly year round.

Hunters 173

Hunters Hunting North America Game 173

10,000 Birds

MARCH 31, 2014

For decades researchers have made annual trips out to the Tortugas to catch Sooty Terns, attach tiny silver bands to their legs with unique identification numbers, and then set them free again. When I say “cut,” I mean paper-cut sized wounds here. Sooty Terns are incredibly birds. Oh, the lessons of bird banding.

Birds 174

Birds Florida Groups Breeding 174

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2013

Sara, one of the researchers, explained that it was a newish bird. They made scrambled eggs for the bait birds each morning and fed them special premium mealworms to help them ward off the cold of the mountain and the stress of their daily grid. Thank you, brave Starling. I salute you. Birds banding Golden Eagle starlings'

Eagles 170

Eagles Tethering Science Wounded 170