0938-12206

"0938-12206"  

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

 I love finding birds that have been tagged through the North American Bird Banding Program.  Last month while I was on St. Simons Island, Georgia, I found this Brown pelican on the pier.  When I saw the pelican had a band, I followed it around taking photographs of the band around its foot.  

I photograph all around the bird until I get all of the numbers needed to report the bird.  I have found and reported several birds over the years.  

On the U.S Geological Survey website, it states:  "Bird banding is used to study the movement, survival, and behavior of birds."  Something I am greatly interested in because birds are my favorite thing to photograph.

They will even send you a certificate telling you neat information about the bird you are reporting.   0938-12206 is of course a Brown pelican and was hatched in 2001.  It was banded on July 2, 2002 in Miami, Florida.  So, it is far way away from home!  The sex of the bird is unknown.

It's A Girl!

"It's A Girl!"  Photo by Judy Royal Glenn

Click on the photo for a closer view!

Robin left a comment on my blog letting me know about the bird banding program by the United States Geological Survey.  She let me know if I had the exact number of 1048, it should be reported at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/  She told me it helps them understand bird patterns, and they would give me a nice certificate for helping!
I did not know the full tag number, so I looked at all my pics and found this one with the last digits I needed!  I went to the website, typed in the info and found out "It's A Girl!"  Here is the info they sent me:
Band Number: 1048-37449
Species: CANADA GOOSE
Date banded: 06/18/2009
Banding Location: 5 SW FT VALLEY, PEACH COUNTY, GEORGIA, USA
Age: HATCHED IN 2008 OR EARLIER
Sex: FEMALE

So her "real name" is 1048-37449.  Thanks Robin for helping me learn something new:)