Scissor-tailed Flycatchers around Oklahoma

For folks who are wondering about where young Scissor-tailed Flycatchers go, here's a study trying to determine just that! So keep an eye out for banded STFL!

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From: dvl04 AT hotmail.com
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2012 10:42 PM
To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU
Subject: [OKBIRDS] Scissor-tailed Flycatchers to watch for

Hi, OKbirders!

My name is Diane Landoll and I am a PhD student at the University of Oklahoma. I have been studying Scissor-tailed Flycatchers for four years now, and this has included banding birds with aluminum USGS bands. Many birds were also banded with a combination of three other colored bands, one on the leg with the aluminum band and two on the other leg. I would like to ask for everyone's help in trying to freight these birds. I am hoping to see where young birds are going because they do not return to the area of their birth. I am also trying to figure out a rough idea of when they arrive back in the area and the route they take to get there. Since there have already been a few sightings (I saw two beautiful male today on Lawton!), now is the time to see if any banded birds from previous years are making it back to us!

What I am asking is that if you see any Scissor-tailed Flycatchers and are interested in figuring out if they are banded, try to get a look at their legs to see if they have an aluminum band only or an aluminum band and color bands. The colors can be difficult to make out sometimes, specially since the birds tend to sit on their legs a bit, so it might be a fun challenge. It always is for me, but that is really part of what makes it so fun. If you do see any banded birds, please let me know as soon as possible. If you can figure out what the color combination is, that would be amazing, but simply knowing where our banded birds are is a great help. If you do try to figure out color combinations, knowing the position of each color and which leg they are on is very important in figuring out exactly which bird it is. For example, a bird might have an aluminum band on top of a red band (so that the red band is the one nearer the foot) on its right leg and a purple band over a blue band on its left leg. If you are able to get a picture of the birds and its bands, that is even better.

Of you do see any banded birds, please let me know at this email address (dvl04 AT hotmail.com). Thank you all in advance for any help. Any sightings are very valuable and will help us get a better understanding of our magnificent state bird.

Thanks again, and good birding!

Diane Landoll
PhD Student
University of Oklahoma