Image: Eureka Prize: Banding and bleeding of the birds
For promotion of New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science Photography only.
- Karri Hartley
- © Karri Hartley
Mandarte Island, BC, Canada. Cradled in a researcher's hand, this tiny 5-day-old song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) chick has just been banded with a unique combination of metal and coloured bands. Grasped between forefinger and thumb, is a needle, poised for blood sampling. Every nestling on the 6 ha islet has been banded and bled since 1975 and 1993 respectively, producing complete social and genetic pedigrees. This longterm study provides invaluable insights into the biology and conservation of small populations.