Collecting Data on Migratory Song Birds & Raptors

Grade 5 students spent the day at the Idaho Bird Observatory field station above Lucky Peak catching, banding, and collecting data on migratory song birds and raptors. The data the students gathered will help biologists better understand migratory patterns and behaviors of birds moving through southern Idaho.

Hiking through the underbrush and checking the nets for captured birds was part of the adventure; students found 12 song birds and two hawks. As you can see by the photos, they were up close and personal with the birds, measuring their size and gently blowing feathers back to check fat content and muscle mass. Don’t worry…all the birds were released back to the wild after the data was collected.

The students were surprised to learn how far birds actually traveled during their migration as well as what a unique area the Boise area is for migrating birds.

Thanks to our teachers, Brad Baxter and Sonya terBorg, for arranging this fantastic experience for our kids! And for more information about the Idaho Bird Observatory, visit their website here .