Banding the New Flock's Wild-born Chicks: Why?
 |
The
First Family, June 2006
Photo WCEP |
When the new Eastern flock welcomed its first wild-hatched chicks in June 2006, the chicks' parents still wore leg bands that were attached when they were chicks in 2002. Those bands and their radio signals have helped keep track of the these special cranes. The babies of these wild "ultra-crane" parents will get leg bands, too.
Why would experts try to catch these wild babies — as well as future wild babies — and put bands on their legs before their family's first migration?
1.
Legal Reasons for Banding the Wild-hatched Babies
These
chicks are part of an endangered species, but the new flock has special
rules. Agreements
require that for the first 10 years of the project, Whooping
cranes in the reintroduced Eastern Migratory
Population be distinguishable from the cranes in the endangered natural
population (the Western flock).
2.
Biological Reasons for Banding the Wild-hatched Babies
Identifying and radio tracking each bird in the new flock is necessary
to help experts help the flock. It will help them keep track of and
check on each bird's
- movements;
-
integration into the rest of the population; and
-
survival.
The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP) has been working hard to establish this population of Whooping cranes since 2001, with the first ultralight-led migration. Experts say the scientific data collected via tracking and monitoring will help the WCEP as it works to build and protect the new flock.
What
Do the Cranes Think?
Of course, we don't know! But the flock's first parents brought
their chicks for visits to their former "Flight School" training
site. This shows that
the First Family parents
still accept the "costumes"
that taught them their migration route when they
were only 7 months old. The First Family parents still accept being
near the ultralight planes. By their behavior, the parents have shown
their
chicks
that these
"strange
things" are okay. This helped
experts safely capture and band the flocks first
wild chicks. The chicks got health exams at
the same time. Experts followed strict rules as
they
captured,
banded,
and radio tagged the wild chicks. Still, there
are always risks in handling wild birds that are not
used to being touched. We
hope all goes as well for the wild-born chicks that will
be added to the flock in the future.
Try This! Journaling Question
-
Do you think the new flock's wild-hatched babies should be captured, checked, and banded? Or do you think they should be left alone, as chicks in the natural flock are left alone? Give two or more reasons why you think so.
Journey
North is pleased to feature this educational adventure made possible
by the
Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP).
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