A Colored Leg Strip for Marking Birds

Abstract

Plasticized polyvinyl chloride extruded strips have been found useful for color marking birds. Craighead and Stockstad (J. Wildl. Mgmt., 20:331332. 1956) described this material and a procedure for making neck bands. Recently their design was modified by Downing and Marshall (J. Wildl. Mgmt., 23:223-224. 1959). A new method for attaching such strips was devised for use on redwinged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus). A /4-inch slot was punched longitudinally near the center of a strip m4 inch wide, 13/4 inches long, and 0.062 inch thick. Through this slot a U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service numbered aluminum size 2 band was inserted and closed around the tarsus of the bird (Fig. 1). The efficiency of this method of color marking was tested on both caged and free-flying redwings and compared with neck banding. Confined birds with neck bands thrashed about the cage and stepped on their own neck bands. Other birds in the cages pecked at the hanging strips. Because of disturbance caused by neck bands, I removed them after 12 hour. Birds with leg strips pecked at the strips, as they commonly do at metal leg bands when first attached. Leg strips caused no other discomfort or interference with normal activities. No apparent injury was caused by the leg strips on captive birds held for 6 months. Two male redwinged blackbirds marked with leg strips were observed on their territories over a 3month period. They always exhibited behavior typical of unmarked birds. Six other males were marked, but only three of them were sighted after being marked. These six males probably were not resident birds. One female redwing seen on its nest was not impeded by a leg strip. A territorial male redwing with neck band and colored celluloid leg bands (not strips) behaved normally but lost the neck band in a month's time. At the end of the month, its neck feathers showed extreme wear. The colored leg bands were lost within a year. No loss of leg strips was noted on the birds studied. Because of the pliability of the strips, the birds are not likely to become entangled. The plastic retains its original shape and color and does not tear or break. It is usually visible when the bird is either standing or flying. Red, orange, or yellow strips 1/4 inch wide usually can be seen readily at 50 yards without binoculars. The plasticized material is available in other colors. If different combinations are desired, a strip can be put on each leg. An unnumbered band may be used for attaching the second strip.