Second annual report of the Australian Bird-banding Scheme, July 1955 to June 1956

Abstract

During 1955–56, 12,500 birds of 107 species were banded, and 708 recoveries, involving 543 individuals of 39 species, were reported. The scheme is used in 10 detailed studies of single species, 5 of which involve individual colour-banding, and in 18 extensive studies, 6 of which involve group-marking with colour bands. Two cooperative schemes are in progress, one on the crested tern, Sterna bergii Lichtenstein (1948 birds banded), and silver gull, Larus novae-hollandiae Stephens (4531 birds banded), throughout Australia, and the other on parrots in Western Australia.

The full data for 82 recoveries are given. The large-scale movement of young giant-petrels, Macronectes giganteus (Gmelin), from Heard Island and Macquarie Island is confirmed, and it is also shown that these birds remain in lower latitudes into their second year. There is a wide dispersal of crested terns (13 records) and silver gulls (66 records) from their breeding-places, mainly northwards especially in the case of the gulls in eastern Australia.