My family and I went to one of Project Owlnet's banding events at Indiana Dunes. Between 7:30pm and 9:30pm, two female and one unknown sex Northern Saw-Whet Owls were netted, measured, weighed and banded. After we left, they caught a fourth owl.
We learned lots while we were there! Northern Saw-Whets are one of the smallest owls in North America. About 80% of the migrating Northern Saw-Whets caught/banded are female. Most others are immature males, because adult males tend to stay in breeding areas. The adult males do this to protect their territory from other males, and the females migrate away to find better food. The young males wander to look for a territory for themselves.
This is the 16th year of Northern Saw-Whet Owl banding by Project Owlnet at the Indiana Dunes location. During that time, they have banded over 700 Northern Saw-whet Owls. These owls follow a four year cycle of high to low reproduction numbers, though global warming and human activities have disrupted this cycle. The director of Owlnetting at the Indiana Dunes location believes 2024 will be a peak year for Saw-whet owls.
Northern Saw-Whet Owl being photographed for honorary adoption
Northern Saw-Whet Owl being weighed.
Northern Saw-Whet Owl being weighed. (Video from my father's iPhone)
Northern Saw-Whet Owl with UV flashlight being shone on it's feathers. The porphyrins on it's feathers fluoresce under the UV flashlight. See more about this at this website.
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