Bits and Pieces

My work out here on Midway requires a lot of direct contact with the birds. We are putting bands on individual birds so that we can track them over time to better understand factors that effect adult survival and breeding success. To get the bands on the birds we have to reach under them while they sit on their nest, incubating their eggs. We prefer not to pick them up or restrain them to put the bands on because it can be stressful for the birds and the humans. Although most of the birds are pretty mellow, some birds take offense with us reaching under them and they lash out with their bill. The albatross bill is extremely well adapted for snatching up small squid (their primary prey item) off the water. However, it is also incredibly well suited for grabbing and tearing fingers, backs of hands, shins, ankles and any soft body part that gets within snapping radius. It is not hard to tell who on Midway is working on the albatross, all you have to do is check their wrists and hands for bits and pieces of missing skin.