Eastern Black Rail -Bander's grip

Figure 5. Using a “bander’s grip” someone is releasing a black rail by gently placing it on top of dense vegetative cover (left photo). A black rail released in this manner may walk (right photo) or make a short flight way from the release site before disappearing into cover- or disappear beneath plant cover immediately following release. Note the optional “above joint” placement of the band on this individual. Resumption of capture activities following a release should be planned to avoid disturbance to the release site. Images: USFWS, W. Woodrow