DIURNAL RAPTOR BANDING
IBO established long-term raptor banding projects to identify migration routes, wintering areas, breeding areas, and mortality factors in 1994. Raptor banding is conducted at Lucky Peak from the end of August through October. IBO bands approximately 1000 raptors each fall. Birds that are banded can be displayed at the hawkwatch site for public viewing when a group is present. It is a great opportunity to view the beauty and power of these birds on a personal level.
To date, we have received approximately 100 band encounters from raptors banded on the Boise Ridge. This provides useful information about migration direction as well as likely breeding and wintering locations. Many banded raptors have been encountered from the Boise area, but other recoveries have come from western Mexico, Baja California, southern California, Washington, and British Columbia.
Three general patterns are evident from studying Idaho Bird Observatory band encounters:
• mid-winter recoveries of Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks come from western Mexico in the state of Sinaloa
• mid-winter recoveries of Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels come from California’s Central Valley
• spring and summer recoveries of Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks come from as far north as central British Columbia.
IBO established long-term raptor banding projects to identify migration routes, wintering areas, breeding areas, and mortality factors in 1994. Raptor banding is conducted at Lucky Peak from the end of August through October. IBO bands approximately 1000 raptors each fall. Birds that are banded can be displayed at the hawkwatch site for public viewing when a group is present. It is a great opportunity to view the beauty and power of these birds on a personal level.
To date, we have received approximately 100 band encounters from raptors banded on the Boise Ridge. This provides useful information about migration direction as well as likely breeding and wintering locations. Many banded raptors have been encountered from the Boise area, but other recoveries have come from western Mexico, Baja California, southern California, Washington, and British Columbia.
Three general patterns are evident from studying Idaho Bird Observatory band encounters:
• mid-winter recoveries of Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks come from western Mexico in the state of Sinaloa
• mid-winter recoveries of Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels come from California’s Central Valley
• spring and summer recoveries of Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks come from as far north as central British Columbia.
