ABBBS Recommended Band Size List Introduction Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme Recommended Band Size List - Birds of Australia and its Territories Number 25 – May 2018 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 Census of Australian Vertebrate Species (CAVS) numbers (formerly RAOU numbers) and band sizes as recommended by the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme. CAVS Numbers are to be used in any data submissions to the ABBBS. The list is in four parts: Part 1 is in taxonomic order, based on information in "Systematics and Taxonomy and Species of Australian Birds" (2008) by L. Christidis and W. E. Boles, CSIRO Publishing Collingwood; and “The Directory of Australian Birds: Passerines” (1999) by R. Schodde and I.J. Mason, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood. Additional current taxonomic information and CAVS numbers were sourced from the Australian Faunal Directory (AFD), Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS), Department of the Environment and Energy Canberra (https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/search/names/). Albatross and Giant Petrel species are based on the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) (https://www.acap.aq/). Part 2 is in alphabetic order of common names, sourced from Christidis and Boles (2008), Schodde and Mason (1999), ACAP and the AFD. The lists include sub-species where these are listed in the AFD, and listed in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The ABBBS makes no taxonomic decisions; if there is disagreement with any of the species designations or names, please raise this with the AFD administrators. Part 3 is a summary of the numbers banded with each band size in alphabetical order, where more than ten individuals have been banded with the band size listed. This is intended to guide banders in the selection of the most appropriate band size by providing data on the levels of past use of each size. Where a species is absent from this list, it has either been banded in very low numbers (< 10), or not at all. Part 4 is a list of specifications for all bands available from the ABBBS. 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. Part 3 of the band size list gives the numbers banded with each size. For some species, relatively few individuals have been banded and the size is listed with a question mark. In 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. If you feel that a species requires a new design, or a modfied version of a current band, please contact the ABBBS to discuss your requirements. Bands should never be modified without prior approval. Remember: BANDERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FITTING SUITABLE BANDS TO THE BIRDS THEY BAND IF IN DOUBT, DO NOT 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. For extremely variable species, these are marked with ‘V’, all individuals tarsi should be measured prior to banding. Geographic variation Where tarsus size is known to vary geographically within a species, different band sizes are recommended and indicated by an asterix (*). 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 Page 1 ABBBS Recommended Band Size List Introduction 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 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. Where the sex cannot be determined, the individual must not be banded. 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 the Frigatebirds, tarsal diameter in chicks may actually exceed that of adults, the excess being lost on fledging. Variation in band placement Bands should generally be placed onto the tarsus. However, some species require that the band be placed on the tibia due to high rates of wear or to increase visibility. These species are marked with the word ‘TIBIA’ after the recommended band size. Summary of variation codes Code Meaning * Varies geographically V Variable species – measure tarsus diameter # Care required – see list below ? Few banded, care required – measure tarsus diameter TIBIA Band size recommend is for placement on the tibia (do not place onto tarsus) M Bands suitable for males only (if sex cannot be determined, do not band) F Bands suitable for females only (if sex cannot be determined, do not band) NIL Some individuals may not be suitable for banding OV Ovalise band (special permission required) RESTRICTED Special permission required to band these species, contact ABBBS. DO NOT BAND The species is not to be banded under any circumstances 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 ABBBS as soon as possible after banding. These reports form the basis for revising the band size list. BANDS REMOVED OR DESTROYED Where badly fitted bands need to be removed; are used for training; are lost; or are destroyed, this must be recorded in your data submission to the ABBBS. Please use species number ‘0’, all age and sex codes ‘U’, the date when the band was lost/destroyed/damaged (or as close as possible), the location code for the site where the band was lost/destroyed/damaged, method code 44 (band lost) or 45 (band destroyed or damaged), and status code 00. If in doubt please contact the ABBBS for advice. BAND SPECIFICATIONS Sizes At present there are over 40 different types of band available for issue for use on birds. The specifications of all available bands are given in Part 4. Of the band designs available, five are intended primarily for use on shorebirds (sizes 03, 04, 05, 06 and 07 in incoloy), three for shearwaters (sizes 16, 37 and 38), one for use on pelicans (size 17), eleven are primarily for parrots (sizes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 36), and one for use on kingfishers or other small birds with short tarsi (size K). Three (sizes 15, 35 and 39) have a special clip design to prevent removal, and are only issued to banders with specific studies. The old butt-end style of size 15 SS bands are no longer issued. Penguin flipper tags are no longer issued for use on this species group (sizes 19, 26, 29, 30), however some have proved to be suitable for other species such as Black-necked Stork. The remaining sizes are for general use. Metals The ABBBS currently uses four different materials for bands as Monel (ML) is no longer manufactured or supplied to banders. However, all Monel sizes previously issued are available in Stainless Steel (SS). The metals are abbreviated in the band list as follows: AY = Alloy AM = Aluminium IN = Incoloy SS = Stainless Steel Each metal has different characteristics including weight, wear resistance, hardness, corrosion resistance, and cost. ALUMINIUM (AM) Page 2 ABBBS Recommended Band Size List Introduction 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. The ABBBS has been phasing out the use of aluminium bands due to the high rate of wear and the exceptionally long lived nature of Australian species generally.