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Raptor Banding Blind Two – Week 2

The second week of raptor banding at blind two produced 15 newly banded raptors of four species: six red-tailed hawks, six sharp-shinned hawks, two merlins, and a broad-winged hawk.

This adult (after third year) broad-winged hawk was the definitive highlight of this week’s captures.

Although broad-winged hawks are seen in great numbers thermalling overhead on their journey from the neotropics to their breeding grounds, they are seldom captured at migration banding sites, making this adult a rare treat to see in hand.

Adult female merlin, our first falcon of the season!

Third year (TY) female sharp-shinned hawk with Capillaria lesions visible at its gape (corner of its bill).

Although this hawk had substantial lesions caused by Capillaria, a nematode parasite, it was otherwise in excellent condition, with healthy amounts of fat and breast muscle. We observe Capillaria lesions on many sharp-shinned hawks, although they are usually much less advanced than in this example.

Season Totals as of 18 April

red-tailed hawk: 21

sharp-shinned hawk: 11

merlin: 2

broad-winged hawk: 1

Total captures: 35

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