DOVE BANDING: Tracking a ubiquitous species ... details 
ahead on Passport to Texas ... 
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PTT from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the SFWR Program

The mourning dove, a key game bird in Texas, is the 
subject of a nationwide banding program. By crimping 
diminutive silver bands around their legs ... wildlife 
biologists in Texas, and elsewhere, track harvest rates of 
these ubiquitous birds. 

"We'll also determine survival rates, where they go, when they 
get there, and when they leave. And all kinds of good 
information."

Jay Roberson is the leader of the webless migratory game 
bird program at the agency. The bands are small, but 
packed with information.

"And it has the toll free number on it that people can call. And a 
nine digit number and the office location of the bird banding 
lab in Laurel Maryland."

Dove hunters should call the phone number they find on 
the band.

"All the work we put in on banding doves is for naught, if they're 
not reported by hunters or people who find them. And, it's very 
important that hunters check their birds that they bag - make 
sure that their birds are not banded. If they are, we ask they 
report the number to the toll-free number: 1-800-327-BAND."

Log onto the Texas Parks and Wildlife website to learn 
how to report a leg band.

Our show's receives support from the Wildlife Restoration 
Program, which provides funding for the Private Lands 
and Habitat Enhancement Program.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife ... I'm Cecilia Nasti.