This is a trumpeter swan (that is banded, haven’t heard back on the origin of the neck band yet). The bird is preening (think of it as brushing its feathers). It’s rubbing its head over its preen gland on the back of its body and rubbing the oil from the gland all over the rest of its feathers to keep them waterproof.
Although, between the pooping and the crazy head rubbing, it looks kinda drunk. Needs some wacky music in the background.
Categories: digivideo
I’m too sexy for my band; too sexy for my band; too s e x y…
glad I learned how to spell.
Did you say wacky music?
Don’t think I’ve ever seen a neck band on a swan. Is that common? (He’s already got one on his leg– how many bands can one swan wear?)
Jess! That so rocks! Loves it!
Some species of waterfowl like swans and geese will get a neck band in addition to a foot band. That is so researchers can monitor a specific bird while it is alive.
It’s ten times easier to get the name and color on the neck band for the average person than the tiny metal band on the leg.
I’ve turned in the band number. When I find out more about this bird, I’ll post it.
Makes sense! Looking forward to hear what you find out.
(It was a toss-up between the Benny Hillified version and the epic version.)
Mind blown.
I got a quick message that the swan in question was hatched in Iowa. No word on age or sex.
I loved the little tail wags myself, but I think that comes from being a dog-person by nature
How does it molt under the band? Doesn’t it itch? Wouldn’t you think it would be a great place for parasites? And it’s UGLY. Leg bands with color rings seem better, but I know I don’t know much.
Red neck band indicates it’s an Iowa bird, part of the IDNR’s Trumpeter Swan Restoration Program (read more about it at http://www.iowadnr.gov/wildlife/files/swanindex.html). If you haven’t been already pointed in that direction, I can get more info on that bird when I get to work Monday (I work with the Wildlife Diversity Program). Did I read the band correctly as 7H8?
laura j
With the properly sized neck band, the birds can molt just fine. It may not be the prettiest band but information learned from that neck band can help the future population. Perhaps in the future we’ll have better ways to monitor birds.
jenni
thanks for the info, I knew it’s form Iowa but haven’t heard much beyond that. It would be so awesome if you can get the down low on it. The band number is 1H8. I have still photos if you need them.