Mist net

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Mist nets are used by ornithologists to capture wild birds for banding or other research projects. Bat biologists use them for the same purposes. The mesh net is typically made of nylon and resembles an oversized volleyball net. When properly deployed, the nets are virtually invisible. The grid size of the mesh netting varies according to the size of the avian species targeted for capture. Net dimensions are approximately 1-1.5 m high by 6-12 m long. If used by trained personnel, mist netting is an efficient method of capturing wild birds in flight while posing minimal risk of incidental injury to entrapped birds. In the United States, federal and state permits are required to capture wild birds with mist nets.

The mist net consists of two poles with the net strung between them.

A bird caught in a mist net will struggle, entangling itself further, so the net must be checked often and the bird removed promptly. Disentangling a bird from a mist net can be difficult and must be done carefully by trained personnel. If a bird is heavily tangled the mist net should be cut to avoid injuring the bird. A dho-gaza is a type of mist net used for larger birds, such as raptors.

[edit] References

For a broad survey of the use of mist nets and other types of capture of birds for marking and other scientific purposes, go to the site of the North American Banding Council http://www.nabanding.net/nabanding/ The manuals and handbooks referenced there cover a wide array of important information on bird safety and use of banding data.