(KLZA)--Peru State College Students are getting hands-on experience with Red-tailed hawks as part of a research study.

Students in the Wildlife Techniques class recently were part of a trip to tag hawks in northeast Kansas.

Students were able to observe multiple plumage patterns, young and mature birds, bird banding, branchial blood sampling and were able to fix two of the transmitters to individuals with intriguing plumage variation.

Among the students taking part were local residents Molly Girard of Peru and Karley Dieckmann of Holton.

The completed work at Peru State is in support of the PhD dissertation research of Bryce Robinson of Cornelll University, focusing on resolving the populations and relationships between populations of the 14 recognized subspecies of Red-tailed hawks.

Students involved in the study will present their research at the annual Research and Creativity Expo held at the college.