BANDING MOURNING DOVE: Going into the field to band 
game birds ... details ahead on Passport to Texas
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PTT from TPWD and the Wildlife Restoration Program

Mourning doves are the focus of a nationwide banding 
study. 

"We're banding mourning doves to determine harvest rates or 
percent of fall population taken by hunters. We'll also determine 
survival rates, and where they go, and when they get there and 
when they leave."

Jay Roberson ... the leader of the webless migratory bird 
program at Parks and Wildlife ... invited me to observe as 
he banded doves.

"And we're going to go and take some birds out of the traps and 
see what we've got and put the right band on the correct leg."

The trapped bird flaps nervously as we approach. Using 
an old blanket, Jay covers the cage to calm the animal ... 
he removes it ... and brings it back to the table for 
banding. The band is a small silver ring that 
fits comfortably around the bird's leg.

"Those are the bands for the adults and the unknown age birds. Now 
I slip the open band in the pliers over the lower leg. And now I'm 
going to crimp that pliers down until it closes."

After Jay determines the animal's age, he transcribes the 
number of the band, the date and location into a book, 
then releases the dove. 

If you harvest or find a banded mourning dove, report it 
by calling the number on the band. Our show's supported 
by the Wildlife Restoration Program ... providing funding 
for the Private Lands and Habitat Enhancement Program.

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