Thermal Imaging
Thermal imaging bird monitoring and banding is a method used by researchers and ornithologists to study bird populations and behavior. It involves the use of thermal imaging cameras to locate and track birds during their nesting or roosting activities, particularly in low light conditions or at night.
Traditional bird banding, involves placing small, uniquely numbered aluminum bands around the tarsi of birds to track their movements, migration patterns, and demographics. However, this method has limitations, especially when dealing with nocturnal or elusive species.
Thermal imaging technology allows researchers to overcome some of these limitations by detecting the heat signatures emitted by birds. Thermal cameras can pick up the infrared radiation emitted by warm-blooded animals, including birds, even in darkness or adverse weather conditions. This enables researchers to locate and monitor birds without disturbing them or relying on visual sightings.
By combining thermal imaging with traditional bird banding techniques, researchers can gather valuable data on bird populations, habitat usage, migration routes, and behavior patterns. This information is crucial for conservation efforts, ecological research, and understanding the impacts of environmental changes on bird populations.
Thermal imaging bird monitoring and banding provide valuable insights into avian ecology and behavior, offering a non-invasive and efficient way to study birds in their natural habitats, particularly in challenging or inaccessible environments.
This collaborative project between the Vancouver Avian Research Centre (VARC) and Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust (DFWT) will attempt to access the abundance and diversity of birds using agricultural set-aside fields in Delta for nighttime roosting using thermal imaging technology.
Full project description in the link below:
