Bird tracks

Tracks of the greater yellowlegs

Bird tracking provides a way to assess the habitat range and behavior of birds without ever seeing the bird. Bird tracking falls under the category of tracking and is related to animal tracking. A guide to bird tracking has been published.[1] Bird tracking is a tool used by naturalists to assess what birds are present in an ecosystem even if the bird is rarely seen.

Data collection

In the Pacific Northwest of the United States, a program called NatureMapping collects data by educating the public and having them pool their data in a citizen science application. Data can be collected in the field using a handheld palm pilot and GPS system that streamlines the collection process. This free program is called CyberTracker. In order to make sure that data is reliable, a tracker evaluation system has been put in place through the CyberTracker organization.

References

  1. ↑ Mark Elbroch; Eleanor Marks; C. Diane Boretos (2001). Bird Tracks & Sign : A Guide to North American Species. Stackpole Books.


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