NORTH AMERICAN CRANE WORKING GROUP
HOME ABOUT NEWS WORKSHOPS PUBLICATIONS AWARDS JOIN CONTACT

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN CRANE WORKSHOP

Volume 14 : < Previous article   Next article >

Title:
COLOR-BAND IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM OF THE REINTRODUCED EASTERN MIGRATORY WHOOPING CRANE POPULATION


Date: 2018


Author:
RICHARD P. URBANEK, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

DOWNLOAD
DOWNLOAD COMPLETE ARTICLE


Citation:
Urbanek, R. P. 2018. Color-band identification system of the reintroduced eastern migratory whooping crane population. Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop 14:101-109.

Abstract:
A reintroduction of whooping cranes (Grus americana) migrating between Wisconsin and the southeastern U.S. was initiated in 2001. A color-band system to uniquely identify individuals was necessary for monitoring and evaluation of that population. The system provided 336 individual unduplicated color combinations consisting of 3 base and 1 additional colors on plastic bands. The band combination on 1 leg carried a VHF transmitter and provided additional information on hatch year. Bands on the other leg were either small bands that were part of a permanent code or they were temporary and supported a remotely monitored (satellite or cellular) transmitter. Through 2017 the system has fully accommodated the identification and tracking requirements needed for the reintroduction and could continue to be used for a consistent method of identification in the future.

The North American Crane Working Group provides free and open access to articles in Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop. No additional permission is required for unrestricted use, distribution, or reproduction in any medium, provided that the original work here is properly cited. Complete Proceedings are also available for download or purchase.

© 2018 North American Crane Working Group