Jun 00 Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme - Recommended Band Size List Page 1 Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme Recommended Band Size List - Birds of Australia and its Territories Number 24 - May 2000 This list contains all extant bird species which have been recorded for Australia and its Territories, including Antarctica, Norfolk Island, Christmas Island and Cocos and Keeling Islands, with their respective RAOU numbers and band sizes as recommended by the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme. The list is in two parts: Part 1 is in taxonomic order, based on information in "The Taxonomy and Species of Birds of Australia and its Territories" (1994) by Leslie Christidis and Walter E. Boles, RAOU Monograph 2, RAOU, Melbourne, for non-passerines; and “The Directory of Australian Birds: Passerines” (1999) by R. Schodde and I.J. Mason, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, for passerines. Part 2 is in alphabetic order of common names. The lists include sub-species where these are listed on the Census of Australian Vertebrate Species (CAVS version 8.1, 1994). CHOOSING THE CORRECT BAND Selecting the appropriate band to use combines several factors, including the species to be banded, variability within the species, growth characteristics of the species, and band design. The following list recommends band sizes and metals based on reports from banders, compiled over the life of the ABBBS. For most species, the recommended sizes have been used on substantial numbers of birds. For some species, relatively few individuals have been banded and the size is listed with a question mark. In still other species, too few birds have been banded to justify a size recommendation and none is made. When banding a species for which there is no recommended size, or where there is some doubt about the correct size, be extremely cautious in choosing a band size and only apply bands in such circumstances if you have the equipment and expertise to remove a band which does not fit properly. When properly fitted, a band should move freely along the tarsus or tibia to which it has been applied, without moving onto the upper or lower joints. Bands should NOT be overlapped to achieve a good fit. K-bands are the only exception to this rule, as they are designed to be overlapped. Remember: Banders are responsible for fitting suitable bands to the birds they band If in doubt, don’t band it VARIABILITY IN SPECIES There are several sources of variation which must be accommodated when selecting a band size. Individual variation Many species display enough variation in size that one band size will not fit all individuals. For species known to show such size variation, alternative band sizes are given in brackets. A bracketed size should only be used if the first size proves unsuitable. Great care should be taken when banding these species. A band should only be applied if the bander has the equipment and the expertise to remove the band if the fit is not satisfactory. Geographic variation Where tarsus size is known to vary geographically within a species, different band sizes are recommended and indicated by (*). Many raptor species are known to vary in size across their range. Many birds in northern Australia require smaller bands than their southern counterparts. Conversely, Tasmanian birds often need a larger band than their mainland counterparts. The Tasmanian form of the Southern Boobook is a notable exception, being smaller than its northern relatives. Banders should be alert for such variation in all widely distributed species Jun 00 Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme - Recommended Band Size List Page 2 Variation between sexes In many species there is a significant size difference between males and females. Where different band sizes are known to be required, the sizes are indicated by M for male and F for female. Birds, and particularly pulli, of sexually dimorphic species should only be banded if the sexes can be clearly distinguished at the time of banding. Variation with age Great care must be taken when banding nestling birds to make sure that their legs have finished growing. Keep in mind too, that in some species, such as Lesser Frigatebirds, tarsal diameter in chicks may actually exceed that of adults, the excess being lost on fledging. TRIAL OF BAND INFORMATION REQUIRED Whenever a band is used on a species for which there is no recommended size, or the band used is not recommended for that species, a Trial-of-Band-Size form MUST be submitted to the banding office as soon as possible after banding. These reports form the basis for revising the band size list. BAND SPECIFICATIONS Sizes At present there are over 40 different types of band available for issue for use on birds. The specifications of the most commonly used bands are given in Table 1. Of the band designs available, five are intended primarily for use on waders (sizes 03, 04, 05, 06 and 07 in incoloy), one for shearwaters (size 16), one for use on pelicans (size 17), three designs for use on penguins (19, 26, 29), ten are primarily for parrots (sizes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 31, 32, 33 and 34), and one for use on kingfishers or other small birds with short tarsi (size K). The remaining sizes are for general use. Metals The ABBBS currently uses five different materials for bands. They are abbreviated in the band list as follows: AY = Alloy; AM = Aluminium; IN = Incoloy; ML = Monel; SS = Stainless Steel. Each metal has different characteristics including weight, wear resistance, hardness, corrosion resistance, and cost. ALUMINIUM (AM) On some species and in some habitats these bands last for many years, but in other situations (such as on some ground-frequenting birds and some marine species) may wear very quickly. Nevertheless, the light weight of aluminium bands can be an important consideration, and cost is relatively low. ALLOY (AY) These magnesium-aluminium alloy bands are almost as light as pure aluminium, but are stronger and more durable. Experience has shown that alloy bands have a potential life of at least 15 years on passerines. MONEL (ML) Made from an alloy of copper and nickel, these bands are more resistant to abrasion than aluminium or alloy bands. They are not suitable for use on marine species due to ‘crevice attack’, an electrolytic corrosion of the characters stamped on the band. Monel bands can be difficult to close due to “spring-back” Jun 00 Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme - Recommended Band Size List Page 3 STAINLESS STEEL (SS) These bands are extremely durable and appear to be immune from crevice-attack and staining. However they can be difficult to close tightly due to “spring-back”. They are particularly valuable for use on parrots, marine species, birds of prey, and on long-lived species. INCOLOY (IN) These bands, made from a nickel-chromium alloy, have most of the virtues of stainless steel and are less prone to “spring-back”. They are particularly suitable for use on waders but are relatively expensive. With each recommended band size, the most suitable metal or metal alloy is also listed. This information should be used when ordering bands from the ABBBS to ensure that appropriate bands are used on all species. If two metals are listed, it may be because the metal is different in alternative band sizes (e.g. Collared Sparrowhawk: 07 IN or 08 SS) or because either metal is suitable for use (e.g. Hardhead: 10 SS or AM). SPECIES FOR WHICH BANDING IS RESTRICTED RAOU no. Species Reason Species not to be banded 928 Ostrich (Struthio camelus) No suitable bands available 1 Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) No suitable bands available 2 Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) No suitable bands available 950 Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) Spurs interfere with bands 903 Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Spurs interfere with bands 777 Greater Flamingo (Phoenocopterus ruber) No suitable bands available 268 Gang-gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum) Birds crush bands, injure themselves Species not to be banded opportunistically - specific project required 263 Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) Birds may crush bands 264 Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhyncus banksii) Birds may crush bands 618 Helmeted Honeyeater (Lichenostomus melanops cassidix) Skin shed under band Species which bands may not fit 906 Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) - males Size 15 bands too small for some birds 260 Little Lorikeet (Glossopsitta pusilla) Bands too wide for some birds 259 Purple-crowned Lorikeet (Glossopsitta porphyrocephala) Bands too wide for some birds 320 Little Kingfisher (Alcedo pusilla) K bands too wide for some birds 334 White-throated Needletail (Hirundatus, caudacutus) K bands too wide for some birds 335 Fork-tailed Swift (Apus pacificus) K bands too wide for some birds Jun 00 Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme - Recommended Band Size List Page 4 Table 1. Specifications of the bands used by ABBBS for birds Size Metal Internal Height (mm) Gauge diameter (mm) (mm) K AY 2.5 - 4.0 4.0 0.38 01 AY 2.0 5.5 0.38 02 AY 2.3 5.5 0.38 03 IN 2.8 5.5 0.35 03 AY 2.8 5.5 0.5 04 IN 3.3 5.5 0.35 04 AY 3.3 5.5 0.5 04 SS 3.3 5.0 0.5 04 ML 3.3 5.0 - 23 SS 4.0 5.0 0.7 05 IN 4.0 5.5 0.35 05 SS 4.0 5.0 0.5 05 AY 4.0 5.5 0.5 06 IN 4.5 5.5 0.35 06 SS 4.5 6.5 0.7 06 AY 4.5 7.0 0.5 24 SS 5.5 5.0 0.7 07 SS 5.5 6.5 0.7 07 IN 5.5 7.0 0.56 07 AM 5.5 7.0 0.7 25 SS 6.5 5.0 1.0 08 SS 6.5 6.5 0.7 08 AM 6.5 9.0 1.0 09 AM 8.0 10.0 0.7 09 SS 8.0 10.0 1.0 20 SS 9.0 5.0 1.0 10 AM 9.5 10.0 1.0 10 SS 9.5 10.0 1.0 21 SS 11.0 5.0 1.0 11 AM 11.0 12.0 1.0 11 SS 11.0 12.0 1.0 27 SS 12.5 12.0 1.0 22 SS 13.0 5.0 1.0 12 SS 14.0 12.0 1.0 12 AM 14.0 12.0 1.5 13 SS 16.0 12.0 1.0 13 AM 16.0 12.0 1.5 28 SS 18.0 12.0 1.0 14 SS 19.0 12.0 1.0 14 AM 20.0 16.0 1.8 14 ML 20.0 16.0 0.8 15 SS 22.0 12.0 1.0 16 SS Shearwater band: egg-shaped 17 SS Pelican band: 36mm x 18mm 19 SS Little Penguin band 26 SS King Penguin band 29 SS Royal Penguin band 30 SS Rockhopper Penguin band 31 SS 8.1 Donna ring 32 SS 11.4 Donna ring 33 SS 13.0 Donna ring 34 SS 14.6 Donna ring Jun 00 Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme - Recommended Band Size List Page 5 PART 1 Taxonomic Order Jun 00 Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme - Recommended Band Size List Page 6 RAOU Scientific name Common name Band Metals No.