Rise-Up mist-netting (RUM): a mobile protocol for trapping wary territorial birds

Abstract

Many bird species avoid traditional traps such as mist nets, thus alternative trapping methods are often needed. The Rufous Hornero (Furnariidae: Furnarius rufus) is one such species that was captured so far using conventional mist netting in rural areas or using nest-targeted traps, which risk nest damage and abandonment. Here we describe the novel rise-up mist-netting (RUM) protocol and its catchability for the wary and territorial Rufous Hornero in an urban area. The RUM trap allowed us quickly capturing 40 Rufous Hornero individuals even in paved parking lots and streets during the bird’s breeding period. The RUM is an active and targeted protocol that demands a single and quickly trainable field assistant. Therefore, it should also enable the capture of many understudied territorial but wary species. Moreover, it has enough mobility to fit studies in urban areas, and whenever researchers may deal with limited space and, at the same time, should reduce negative visual impacts to the general public of birds’ capturing and banding procedures.

Home Range, Territory, and Partner Replacement in the Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus

“…At UFJF we captured birds during the nonbreeding (July) and breeding (August-September) seasons in 2019 using the Rise-Up Mist-netting protocol (Amorim et al 2021). At UnB (2013UnB ( -2015, we captured adults during incubation and young while still in the nest following Braga et al (2014) and Shibuya et al (2015).…”

It's time to open our mist nets over concrete: Sampling experiences within a big city

“…This is aggravated in the case of birds, which are charismatic and appreciated by people, and whose primary capture method is through mist nets. Researchers who venture into this challenge have adapted to different situations, adjusting methods and sampling protocols to their study subjects (Clark et al 2014, Adams et al 2019, Amorim et al 2021).…”