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  4. SAIPAN

OCTOBER 3, 2010: BIRD BANDING

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In flight, they use the fan tail as a very effective air rudder for sudden directional changes in mid flight (It's fun to watch them fly, just frustrating to attempt photos of it).
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In flight, they use the fan tail as a very effective air rudder for sudden directional changes in mid flight (It's fun to watch them fly, just frustrating to attempt photos of it).

rufousfantail

  • I have actually taken days where I have done my own "Rufous Fantail Photography Safaris." However, these guys re hard to photograph well in the wild. They are numerous, but they are small and tend to always be flittering around, darting and changing directions in a seemingly random play.
  • So, I jumped at the chance to come and see these birds up close.
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  • Annie and Lauren gingerly handle the little birds and examine pretty much every square centimeter. Here Lauren is gently blowing to separate feathers so that she can see how much fat deposition is in the belly area.
  • In flight, they use the fan tail as a very effective air rudder for sudden directional changes in mid flight (It's fun to watch them fly, just frustrating to attempt photos of it).
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  • Here Annie gently spreads the wing feathers to look for signs of molting or new feather growth.
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  • Of course, along with the banding, everything is thoroughly measured and documented.
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  • Bottoms up for a weigh in.
  • Such delicate-looking wings. Notice the band on his right leg.
  • Here is his impersonation of Village People's "YMCA."
  • There were several Rufous Fantails. While I was there, one Bridled White-eye was also netted and tagged.
  • It's my understanding that the Bridled White-eye is endemic to the Mariana Islands, and are extant on only three islands (Saipan, Tinian, and Aguijan).<br /> <br /> This information just comes from Wikipedia, so if anyone reading this knows better, please comment below.
  • The darker spot 7 feathers back from the end-most feather is a new, growing feather.
  • According to Wikipedia, they are listed as endangered.
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