The body grasp technique: a rapid method of removing birds from mist nets

Abstract

Safety of birds is paramount to our efforts in monitoring birds. I describe a method that has the potential of greatly increasing the speed and safety of extracting birds from mist nets. This method involves removing the feet last, as opposed to the more traditional 'feet first' method. The "body grasp" method involves slipping the fingers around the body of the bird, underneath the encumbering net, and then lifting the bird out of the enfolding layers of netting, focusing on the bird's body, not on the tangle of netting that its feet have made. In instructing many people in this method, I have found a great reduction in learning time, as well as an increase in safety of the birds.

Citation

Ralph, C.J. 2005. The body grasp technique: a rapid method of removing birds from mist nets. North American Bird Bander 30(2): 65-70