| Chapter V | ||
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What Can We Learn By Studying Songbirds in the Boreal Forest? | |
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| Scientific Method People have always been curious about the world around them. Scientists solve the mysteries of our environment by using specific steps. A scientific study begins with an observation in nature that interests the scientist or a question suggested by a previous study. A hypothesis or prediction is made. Scientists then systematically collect and analyze data to test their prediction. A conclusion is made and the results are presented in a report. The report should be made available to anyone who is interested. The cycle begins again when new questions are suggested by the results of the study. |
Banding Birds Why band birds? When birds are captured at banding stations like ABO, information is recorded such as where and when each bird is banded, how old it is and how healthy it is. A numbered metal band is placed around the bird's leg. No two birds have the same number. This number lets us identify the individual if it is recaptured. People have put bands on birds to identify them for centuries. In 1920 the U.S. government realized there was a need to organize and coordinate banding efforts and formed an organization to administer bands. Today we receive bands from and send information to the Federal Bird Banding Lab. |
Banding birds is a good way to learn things like when birds migrate, how many young birds survive, what kinds of birds live in our area, how long birds live, and if population's are changing.
If you ever find a band, turn it in to the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service so that it can be added to their data. |
| Activities ABO Study Bird Feeder Study Patterns of Recapture |
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| Scientific Method Steps To make a good scientific study these steps should be followed: |
ABO's Migration Timing Study ABO has been studying the timing of migration in the songbird species captured. Specifically, we wondered whether Yellow-rumped Warbler young, or hatch-year birds, migrate at the same time as the adults in the fall. Our hypothesis, or prediction, was that the timing of fall migration is not the same for young and adult birds. We have collected data for six years and after analyzing the information we discovered that hatch-year birds migrate from Creamer's Field about 10 days before adults. Although we did our hypothesis appeared to be right, our discovery has led to further questions, including: is there a difference in timing of migration between young and adult birds in other places where they stop and who arrives first at the wintering grounds? |
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Continue to ABO Study.
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