Banding Ducks for Science and Survival | Spokane News

A small but determined crew of volunteers and wildlife experts gathered near Spangle early Tuesday to band ducks and gather vital data on migration and population trends. After a tense hour of waiting, their net cannon finally snagged four mallards — a modest haul, but a win given low water levels this year. The team, led by waterfowl specialist Matt Wilson, used the opportunity to teach newcomers how to identify duck sex, age, and species by wing markings — even spotting the uropygial gland that keeps feathers waterproof. Each banded bird feeds into a national database, helping scientists track migratory patterns and inform hunting regulations. Though the ducks took off quickly after release, every one contributes to a bigger mission: keeping these wild birds healthy for generations to come. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/a5b3abc534220957