Bird capturing has been practiced for centuries for a variety of purposes including food, pets, scientific study, and conservation. There are several methods that people use to capture birds which can be grouped into three main categories: trapping, netting, and hunting. The best method depends on the type of bird being sought, the intended use, and local laws and regulations regarding bird capturing.
Trapping Birds
Trapping involves luring birds into an enclosed space from which they cannot easily escape. Traps come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but most work by enticing the birds with bait and then enclosing or capturing them when they enter the trap.
Cage Traps
Cage traps are among the most common types of bird traps. They consist of a cage with a door that swings shut once the bird steps on a perch or treadle inside. Seed, water, and bird calls are typically used to lure birds into the cage. Cage traps allow birds to be captured humanely and are useful for banding and research. They work best for larger target birds like doves, woodpeckers, jays, and thrushes.
Funnel Traps
Funnel traps direct birds into an enclosure through a funnel-shaped opening. When the birds pass through the narrow end of the funnel into the wider enclosure, they cannot find their way back out. Funnel traps can be simple boxes or tubes with a funnel entrance or more elaborate enclosures. They work well for smaller birds like finches and sparrows.
Drop Traps
Drop traps, also known as clap traps, use bait to lure birds onto a platform which then drops down quickly to enclose the birds underneath. These traps are activated by the trapper pulling a string or trigger. Accuracy and timing are needed to successfully capture birds with drop traps. They are useful for catching several individuals at once.
Mist Nets
Mist nets are large nylon nets rigged between poles and kept under tension. They are thin and hard for birds to detect. Birds fly into the nets and become loosely tangled, allowing them to be extracted unharmed. Mist nets are frequently used by ornithologists to capture various species for banding and study.
Netting Birds
Netting involves using different types of nets to physically capture birds. Handheld nets and long-handled specialized nets allow birders to capture and restrain birds with their hands.
Hand Nets
Hand nets consist of a bag of mesh or netting on the end of a circular ring attached to a handle. They are light and portable. By swinging the hand net quickly, birds can be caught in mid-flight. Hand nets are common among bird banders catching songbirds, waterfowl, and other species.
Long-handled Nets
Long-handled nets have an extended pole to allow users to capture birds from a greater distance. Types include telescoping nets that extend and collapse for portability. Long-handled nets make it easier to grab birds high in trees, in vegetation, or on the water. Specialized aquatic nets are used to catch waterbirds.
Noose Poles
Noose poles have a string noose that can be tightened around a sitting bird’s body to capture it. Noose poles range from 10-20 feet long to give reach up to high tree branches. They allow capture of birds at a distance with little injury risk. Experienced birders use noose poles to catch species like hawks, owls, and herons.
Noose Carpets
Noose carpets are area nets laid on the ground with multiple nooses attached. Birds walking on the carpet get their feet caught in the nooses so they can be secured. Noose carpets are used to capture certain ground-dwelling and low vegetation birds like quail, grouse, and ptarmigan.
Hunting Birds
Some species are legally hunted as game birds for food. Hunting methods vary based on the type of bird pursued.
Shotguns
Shotguns firing birdshot are used to hunt game birds like pheasant, quail, grouse, and waterfowl. Lead shot has been replaced with steel, bismuth, or other nontoxic shot in most areas to limit poisoning of scavengers. The appropriate shotgun gauge and shot size depends on the game bird targeted.
Rifles and Handguns
Large birds may be hunted with rifles or handguns in some areas. Typical examples include wild turkeys, geese, cranes, and condors where permitted. Shot placement is important when bird hunting with firearms. Nontoxic bullets are required for any birds that may be eaten.
Bows and Arrows
Bows, crossbows, and arrows allow for silent hunting of birds. Small game arrows with blunt tips can strike birds while minimizing tissue damage. Upland game birds like grouse and quail are popular targets for bird hunting archers. Bowhunting turkeys has its own specialized techniques and equipment.
Falconry
Falconry uses trained hawks, falcons, eagles, and other raptors to pursue and capture small game and birds. Falconers train their birds to hunt cooperatively with them. Many countries have strict regulations on practicing falconry due to its potential impacts on wild bird populations.
Dazzling and Night Lighting
Some nocturnal species can be hunted by dazzling or night lighting. Bright lights at night temporarily blind and immobilize animals. Historically, flaming torches were used. Today, spotlights, truck headlights, and other illumination methods allow nighttime capture. Night lighting is used for hunting owls, nightjars, and other species in some regions.
Selecting a Bird Capture Method
There are many factors to evaluate when deciding on a bird capture technique. Considerations include:
- Target species and their behavior
- Habitat the birds occupy
- Degree of capture stress acceptable
- Legality for target species
- Accessibility of locations the birds frequent
- Wariness of the species
- Cost and complexity of capture methods
- Availability of necessary equipment and materials
- Time available to implement the method
- Number of birds needing capture
- Ability level of the capture personnel
Trapping methods work well for most small songbirds, but are less effective for wary species in open areas. Netting requires skill to implement successfully, while hunting is only permitted for game species in designated seasons with appropriate permits. Consulting wildlife agencies, universities, bird banding laboratories, and experienced birders can help guide the choice of capture technique.
Baiting Birds for Capture
Baiting with food is a common technique for luring birds into traps or close enough for nets or poles. Good baits mimic natural food sources while being more enticing than what is naturally available. Recommended bait types include:
- Seeds and grains – millet, cracked corn, thistle, sunflower seeds
- Berries – raisins, currants, strawberries, blueberries
- Fruit – apples, oranges, bananas, melons
- Nectar – sugar water, hummingbird feeders
- Suet – animal fat mixed with seeds
- Mealworms and other live insects
- Carrion – for vultures, eagles, and other scavengers
The bait should match the target species’ natural diet and food preferences. Specific bait mixtures can be tailored for seed eating birds, insectivores, fruit lovers, nectar feeders, and more. Placing bait on or near trap triggers or net poles maximizes chances of capture success. Baits work best when the birds are already somewhat hungry during less plentiful seasons.
Minimizing Injury and Stress
Extra care should be taken when capturing birds to avoid injuring them or causing excessive stress. Recommendations include:
- Inspect devices frequently if capturing unattended
- Use soft mesh nets to avoid snags
- Check mist nets constantly to extricate birds rapidly
- Wear gloves when handling birds to limit scratching
- Hold birds gently but securely in proper positions
- Keep birds in cool, ventilated, dark holding containers
- Provide water and food for captive birds
- Limit loud noises, unnecessary motions, and chasing
- Release birds as soon as possible at the capture location
Causing injury or excessive stress during capture may harm the birds and create problems for research if the birds’ normal behavior changes. Proper bird handling techniques protect both the birds and the people capturing them.
Legality of Capturing Birds
There are often legal restrictions on capturing wild birds. It is essential to check current federal, state/provincial, and local laws before engaging in any bird capturing activity. Typical regulations include:
- Prohibitions on capturing threatened/endangered species
- Seasonal restrictions for game and migratory birds
- Permit and licensing requirements for traps, nets, and other capture devices
- Limits on techniques allowed for different species
- Banning capture of songbirds, raptors, or other protected groups
- Facility certification for holding captive wild animals
- Inspections of traps and reporting of captures
- Restrictions on permanent possession of wild birds
Fines and legal prosecution may result from illegally capturing birds. Responsible trappers consult applicable regulations and obtain necessary permits before deploying capture techniques.
Conclusion
Capturing wild birds requires specialized equipment, technique, and care to implement successfully while minimizing harm and following laws. Trapping, netting, and hunting each have advantages and disadvantages depending on the target species, habitat, regulations, and objectives. With appropriate diligence to bird safety and legal compliance, modern capture methods allow effective collection of birds for many purposes in support of both animals and humans.