05/23/2026
Did you know that here at the Waterman Conservation Education Center, we have nesting Eastern Bluebirds?
This week, we welcomed local bird ba**er and member of the New York State Bluebird Society Anne Cooke to band four nestling bluebirds from one of the nest boxes near our interpretive center, with assistance from our staff naturalist Michelle. Each chick was examined to check for age and any potential parasites (none were found!), banded, and gently returned back to the nest. In a few more days, these chicks will be old enough to fledge and take flight for the first time!
Birds and other wildlife are not bothered by brief handling of their young, as long as the young are returned to the nest. Banding birds allows scientists to track an individual bird with its unique band number as it migrates and disperses to future nesting or wintering areas. Banding the bluebirds that grow up here at the Waterman Center allows us to confirm if the same birds come back year after year, potentially continuing for generations of bluebirds! Metal bands are incredibly lightweight and do not impact the bird's ability to fly or forage.
All handling and banding of birds was done under required state and federal permits for working with migratory birds.
Photo Descriptions:
1) Anne holds a lined bucket as Michelle gently reaches into the nest to take out the nestling birds.
2) The four nestling bluebirds waiting to be banded.
3) One of the nestlings receives its band, which is placed onto the leg using specialized banding pliers.
4) A nestling shows off its new band!
5) Anne gently pulls out the wing of a nestling, showing the developing wing feathers encased in sheaths. In the background is a data sheet and string of bands.
6) Michelle and Anne posing for a photo after the chicks were returned to the nest - a job well done!
7) A photo of the nestlings at 4-5 days old, a week before they were banded. Nestling birds develop incredibly fast!
