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In
addition to the migration monitoring research at MBO, banding activities
provide the opportunity for any number of other potential studies.
Listed below are projects that have
already been started, as well as a number of other research questions of interest that we have
not yet had an opportunity to pursue; abstracts for some of these are
available through links below.
We welcome anyone interested in these questions to
contact us for more
information on how to get involved, and also encourage anyone to suggest
additions to the list.
Current research topics:
• Refining techniques for
ageing and sexing of Black-capped Chickadees (click
here for interim report)
• Refining techniques for ageing and sexing of American
Goldfinches (details coming soon)
• Quantifying net-shyness (details coming soon)
Potential research topics:
• Nest attendance using data
loggers in nest boxes
• Revised ageing and sexing guides using banding data, photos
• Variations in the timing and extent of moult in Song Sparrows
• Analyzing the variation in migrant American Robins in relation
to geographic origin
• Comparing isotopic signatures and plumage/moult variation
between local breeders and migrants
for common species such as Song Sparrow,
Yellow Warbler, and Red-winged Blackbird
• Importance of nest placement for different species
• Seasonal patterns of occurrence (by species / age / sex)
• Influence of local weather conditions on banding success (and
monitoring effectiveness)
• Long-term indices of breeding success
• Analyzing the variation in Baltimore Oriole plumage and relating
it to moult
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