Research Assistant, University of Hawaii — Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii
I worked as a bird bander at the Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge on the Big Island of Hawaii from January to August 2005. I assisted on a long-term study of distribution, movements, and disease in Hawaiian honeycreepers. I obtained a Special Use Permit from USFWS for an independent study of molt patterns, qualified for Endangered Species Permit, captured birds in both ground and aerial mist nets, took blood samples, and re-sighted color-banded individuals.
I became somewhat obsessed with molt patterns and developed fascination with molt limits. We caught lots of I’iwi, which are hilarious-looking and have some beautiful molt patterns.
We caught a few `Akiapola`au, (sometimes known as the Hawaiian Woodpecker), which has a crazy beak.
This project is also where I banded my first goose! I helped out with herding young Nene chicks to safety and later helped band some of the new birds.
Map tile by Stamen Design, under CC BY 3.0. Data by OpenStreetMap, under CC BY SA.
