to coordinate color-ring combinations among workers. In Europe this is done
especially for gulls and waders.
The following are a few of the principal alternatives to rings for specialized use.
- Patagial tags (wing tags) are attached to the wing by a nylon rivet through
the skin (patagium) of the leading edge of the “forearm,” and are useful for iden-
tifying individuals in flight. They are usually made of soft plastic in a conspicu-
ous color, can carry a number, and are typically used on larger birds such as
corvids and raptors. However, numbered metal patagial tags, which are supplied
for game managers, are useful for marking some galliforms, which have tarsal
spurs or knobs that preclude the use of rings. Patagial tags can suffer from the
problem of being “preened” into the plumage by the bird and so rendered invis-
ible. Also, as on plastic rings, some colors fade. - Flipper bands are flattened metal clip-type bands carrying a number for mark-
ing penguins. The band is fitted at the base of the flipper by the body and great
care must be taken over the fitting as injury can result if the fit is poor (subcutaneous
PIT tags might be preferred for this reason—see 6 and Chapter 7 below). - Leg-flags are simple plastic flags made by the researcher from colored plastic
for fitting to shorebird (wader) legs. The bird’s identity can be indicated by the
color of flag and/or a number printed on it. - Neck-collars of DARVIC can be used on geese and swans. The bird’s identity
is indicated by the DARVIC color and inscription. Care over the fit is essential for
obvious reasons. - Dyes can also be used to mark plumage. In his studies of the energetics of
hirundines, Bryant (1984, 1997) used tippex®as a short-term dye on the
remiges to identify the birds in flight. A more frequently used permanent
plumage dye, however, is picric acid (2,4,6-trinitrophenol), which stains feathers
yellow. It is therefore typically used on white birds (swans, seabirds). Care should
be exercised in its use because, although it is safe once applied to plumage, under
certain conditions it is explosive. While picric acid lasts with little fading until
the next molt, human hair-colorants can be used to dye plumage in the short
term. Such dyes can be used to paint numbers on plumage, but subsequent
preening may distort their appearance; the dyes often wash out within a few
weeks, and some containing bleach can damage feathers. - As described in Chapter 7, birds can also be fitted with remotely sensed
devices, such as radio transmitters (which can indicate activity as well as location),
satellite transponders and PIT tags, and with a variety of telemetry devices, such as
depth gauges, that can be interrogated on recapture of the bird.
98 |Birds in the hand