Bird banding site visit

U.S. Geological Survey Wildlife biologists pin down a spring-loaded net into the soil over an American Avocet’s nest in Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Biologists capture the bird to take physical measurements and to attach a GPS tracking device. Once the bird is gently removed from the net, its culmen, or bill, is measured from the tip of the beak to the feather line using digital calipers. Still using the calipers, the bird's legs are measured. Lastly, the wing length is measured with a ruler. These basic measurements can be useful to identify species, identify difference between the sexes, age or otherwise characterize individual birds. After measurements are taken biologists attach the lightweight square-shaped GPS tracker with elastic bands. Once the device is attached, like a birdie backpack, the Avocet is released and takes flight.