Hawks banded at Hawk Ridge in Duluth are often found long distances away. Some are recaptured at other bird-banding stations. Some are recovered dead by the public. Biologists use the banding information to increase their knowledge of raptor movements, longevity, causes of mortality and other factors.
Here is a sampling of raptors banded at Hawk Ridge that have turned up elsewhere:
Merlin -- Banded in 1994 at Hawk Ridge. Found in 1999 in South Superior. Hit window and died immediately after eating a Bohemian waxwing.
Peregrine falcon -- Banded Sept. 28, 1989, at Hawk Ridge. On Oct. 8, 1989, recaptured at South Padre Island, Texas. The falcon averaged 140 straight-line miles per day in those 10 days.
Broad-winged hawk -- Banded 1978 at Hawk Ridge. Recovered in 1980 in Brazil.
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Northern goshawk -- Banded Nov. 21, 1993, at Hawk Ridge. Recovered dead April 27, 2002, in Leoville, Saskatchewan.
Long-eared owl -- Banded in 1973 at Hawk Ridge. Found dead from shooting, 1977, in Mexico City.
Sharp-shinned hawk -- Banded in 1989 at Hawk Ridge. Found dead near Superior, 1999. Among oldest sharpshins on record at 10 years.
Sharp-shinned hawk -- Banded 1992 at Hawk Ridge. Hit window in Eau Claire, Wis., in 1999. Later released.
American kestrel -- Banded 1980 at Hawk Ridge. Found dead in Texas, September 1986.
Northern saw-whet owl -- Banded Sept. 26, 2001, at Hawk Ridge. Recovered 23 days later in Bobcaygeon, Ontario, after traveling 800 miles in 23 days.
Northern saw-whet owl -- Banded in 1999 at Hawk Ridge. Recaptured alive in 2000 at Prince Edward Point, Ontario, 700 miles southeast of Duluth.
Northern saw-whet owl -- Banded in 1995 at Hawk Ridge. Band found in coyote scat near Burns Harbor, Ind., in 1996.
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Northern saw-whet owl -- Banded in 1975 at Hawk Ridge. Recaptured in 1981 at Hawk Ridge; 7 years, 4 months old.
