7 February 2006

Technology and birds of prey: a double-edged sword

Visiting Canadian raptor expert, Professor David Bird will present a free public seminar on "Technology and birds of prey: a double-edged sword", today, Tuesday February 7, at the University of Canberra.

Dr Bird is a professor of Wildlife Biology and Director of the Avian Science and Conservation Centre of McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.

The seminar will deal with the effects of technology, both negative and positive, over the last decades, on raptors. Dr Bird said that while the world of technology has clashed with the world of raptors in many devastating ways over the last several decades, technology is also coming to the rescue of birds of prey.

Some of the negative effects Dr Bird will speak on will be the use of highly toxic organophosphates used as an avicide, collisions with automobiles, planes ("Military jets and ospreys are at war in the skies over Labrador"), powerlines, and windmills, and the impact of electromagnetic fields from powerlines upon the raptors that nest on them.

He will also speak on several technological developments that are "coming to the rescue of birds of prey, as well as other birds".  

Dr Bird noted two developments in technology that are now being applied to raptors.

"The use of DNA analyses in the laboratory to produce genetic fingerprints unique to each bird has revolutionized our ability to identify individuals," he wrote.   "A particular use is to determine the extent of monogamy in birds and raptors may well be among the few avian taxons that do not cheat on their mates."

"Second, attaching tiny transmitters that bounce signals off satellites circling the earth now allow biologists to follow migrating raptors, such as golden eagles and peregrine falcons, from their breeding grounds south to their wintering areas as well as the return trip north.   Satellite telemetry, despite its current high cost, can achieve in a year what it normally takes dozens of years to do by traditional banding techniques.   It is now being applied to peregrine falcons nesting in cities to determine whether they are sources or sinks for the population."

Dr Bird has published over 150 scientific papers on birds of prey and is a regular columnist on birds for The Gazette of Montreal and Bird Watcher's Digest magazine. He holds several positions in his field of expertise including vice-president of the Raptor Research Foundation Incorporated, an international organization devoted to birds of prey, is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Birding Association and an elected member representing Canada on the prestigious International Ornithological Committee.

Presenter:   Professor David Bird

Date: Tuesday February 7

Time: 3.30pm to 4.30pm

Location: Room 11, Level B, Building 6, University of Canberra

For the full list of seminars for this semester, visit http://aerg.canberra.edu.au/seminars.htm

UC Communications

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Last Updated on August 1, 2005