The banding programme on Puffinus tenuirostris (Temminck) I. First report

Abstract

Banding of the short-tailed shearwater or Tasmanian mutton-bird, Puffinus tenuirostris (Temminck), started in the Furneaux group of islands, north-east Tasmania, in 1947, with copper bands. In 1950 the more permanent monel bands were substituted. During the 10 years to the end of the 1956 nesting season, a total of 18,121 birds was marked. Details are given of the objectives of the programme and the nature of the banding, together with a discussion of the recoveries. Young birds return in general to the natal islands, usually from the age of 3 years and onwards. So far recoveries outside the breeding area are very few but two marked birds have been taken in the North Pacific on their contranuptial migration. Suggestions are given for the conduct of marking programmes on petrels to obtain the most productive results.