> I spent a couple of hours at Spencer Island tonight and birds to
note include:
> ...
> The Peregrine sat in the cottonwood tree at the East end of the cross
> dike. When I saw it in the scope I could see that both legs were
> banded. The bird's right leg held a silver band while the left leg had
> a black band. Does anyone know the significance of the two bands?

I believe that Bud Anderson and the Falcon Research Group always use
a silver and a black band. One is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife band and
the other is a Wash. State wildlife band, I think.

Most likely, this was a bird born in the San Juan Islands, probably
last year. It seems a little early for this-year's birds to be so
far from their nest sites, but I could be wrong(?). Could you read
either band? Could you tell if it was a male or female (based on the
size)? Could you see a distinct, light-brown, terminal tail band?
The band is pretty prominent on new fledglings, at least when perched
in front of a dark background. The ends of the feathers usually wear
off somewhat after a year's time. Any evidence of molting?

So many questions!

Dean dean at amc.com