SubscribeThe following quotation is from a lecture by a “bander.” It happened some time ago and what follows is my reaction to it.
“The birds did not seem stressed by being handled and upon release flew off to resume their feeding. There were a few birds that had their legs nicked by the banders and were bleeding but the group was taking care to stop the flow before release. Banding has been taking place for centuries and perhaps information provided by the studies have allowed us to enjoy bird species that otherwise would have become extinct. Hopefully, my research will provide more pro’s than con’s and, in the end, these creatures, who are the “world’s greatest travelers”, will benefit from our brief encounter!”
Yes, wouldn’t it be loverly. I cannot agree. Sure my concept is anthropomorphic, but what else could it be. Perhaps when the aliens land and net us, just to determine how they can help us to better our life, we will finally understand. Sure the three, or four, or five bands they attach to our legs, or necks, will not interfere with whatever else we have to do. The few bleeding nicks in our legs will heal, or not, and the very few of us who are traumatized beyond recovery will be missed, but, what the hell, that’s life (or death).
I own five shelves full of books on birds, their life histories, their physical make up, their prevalence (or lack of it). These could be expanded ad infinatum. I can push any number of buttons to find out what needs to be known about birds.
I have seen many netted birds being banded, to what end I have no idea. I have seen Canada geese by the thousands with neck bands and black capped chickadees with three bands on one leg and four on the other, colored bands, (does this bother their breeding? You bet). I know that the problems all animal life on this planet experience are caused by only one species, we homo sapiens. No amount of banding will correct that, nor will any amount of banding help.
These creatures will not benefit from our brief encounter, and I am so sorry about that.
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