OBBA

Project:

plumage microbiology of wild birds:

we are monitoring the plumage microbiology of wild birds, mostly songbirds. Project began in 1993.

We capture birds in mist nets in the fields and brush, remove them to a banding room at the back of the house and remove microorganisms from the plumage with damp, sterile swabs and culture plates containing selective media. After the sampling the birds are banded, aged, sexed, condition of the flight feathers is recorded, and the birds are weighed.

Location:

We have published several papers based on our work:

Burtt, E. H., Jr. and J. M. Ichida. 1999. Occurrence of feather-degrading bacilli in the plumage of birds. Auk 116: 364-372.

Burtt, E. H., Jr. 1999. Think small. Auk 116:878-881

Muza*, M. M., E. H. Burtt, Jr., and J. M. Ichida. 2000. Distribution of bacteria on the feathers of eastern North American birds. Wilson Bull. 112: 432-435.

Burtt, E. H., Jr., J. M. Ichida, C. Irvine*, and P. Wee. 2001. The bird as habitat. Ohio Birds and Natural History 2: 47-55.

Burtt, E. H., Jr. and J. M. Ichida. Gloger's Rule, feather-degrading bacteria, and color variation among Song Sparrows. Condor (in press)

Burtt, E. H., Jr. and J. M. Ichida. Selection for feather structure. In (R. Shodde, editor). Proceedings 23rd International Ornithological Congress (in press).

Goldstein, G., K. Flory*, B. A. Browne*, S. Majid*, J. M. Ichida, and E. H. Burtt, Jr. Bacterial degradation of black and white feathers. Auk (in press).

Volunteer Opportunities:

Data:

Number of Birds captured by year:

1993-

1994-

1995-

1996-

1997-

1998-

1999-

2000-

2001-

2002-

2003-

11 year total = 3,500

Species captured by year: