Dec 19, 2012 | root_ks8kzico

Operation Rubythroat - November 2012

Bill Hilton Jr. recently returned from Costa Rica on another Operation Rubythroat citizen science expedition. Since 2004, hummingbird expert Bill has been traveling to Central America to study Ruby-throats. Bill's report on his 18th expedition can be found at hiltonpond.org.
At 10:25 a.m. the team mist netted another bird of importance, but it wasn't "just another" Ruby-throated Hummingbird. No, this new hummer was special for two reasons: 1) She was the first female RTHU captured in 2012; and, 2) She was the 1,000th RTHU banded in the Neotropics through Operation RubyThroat. This is especially significant because prior to our work--which began in December 2004--only 46 ruby-throats had been banded in all of Mexico and the seven Central American countries where the species overwinters.  
[caption id="attachment_4268" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird marked with blue dye. Photo © Bill Hilton Jr.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4269" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Photo © Bill Hilton Jr.[/caption] Read more: http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek121101.html Join Operation Rubythroat in 2013! No experience necessary. Costa Rica // February 5-15 SOLD OUT Nicaragua // February 16-24 SOLD OUT Belize // February 27-March 7 SOLD OUT Costa Rica // November 6-14

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