Biology and Ecosystems

How can I get bird banding and encounter data from the Bird Banding Laboratory?

Banding and encounter data are available for research purposes. Individual banding data records exist electronically starting in 1960. Pre-1960 banding data are available only for birds that have been encountered. Individual encounter data are available from 1913. To make a data request go to the Banding and Encounter Data page.

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Resources for Banders

What functions are available in the Bander Portal for bird banders?

Use the Bander Portal to: View and update your contact information, List subpermittees, band inventory, and locations associated with your permit, Order bands and confirm bands as received, Request transferral of bands TO your permit or FROM your permit to another permit, Define which menu options subpermitees have permission to access, View...

Bandit Opening Screen

How do I submit bird banding and/or bird recapture data?

Bird banding and band recapture data from banding activities must be submitted to the Bird Banding Laboratory using Bandit, The Information Manager for Banding Operations . Bandit is desktop software (not a website) that must be downloaded to your computer. The software is available for both PCs and Macs.

Photo of Bird Bands in a Variety of Sizes and Types

I have a federal permit to band birds. How do I order bands?

If you already have a federal permit or sub permit to band birds, sign in to the Bander Portal to order bands and/or confirm bands as received.

Bird Banding Supplies

How do I renew or modify my existing federal bird banding permit?

To renew or make changes to existing bird banding permits, use the links below: ● Request a sub-permit ● Change in the responsible individual for a Master Station Banding Permit ● Permit inactivation ● Permit reactivation ● Renew your permit ● Request color and auxiliary marking permission Additional information is on the General Permit...

BBL Federal Permit

How do I obtain a federal bird banding permit?

A Federal Bird Banding and Marking Permit is required whenever someone wants to place a bird band or any type of marker on a wild bird that is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act or on a federally-protected bird that will be released into the wild. To obtain a permit, visit the General Permit Information webpage of the Bird Banding...

Bird being banded with a USGS federal band at BBL fall migration monitoring station

What are the ethics and responsibilities of Bird Banders?

Bird banding has long been recognized as an important research tool that has substantially improved our understanding of many aspects of avian biology and provided critical information for the management and conservation of bird populations. It is normally safe when proper techniques and equipment are carefully employed by trained banders who...

Newly banded palila nestling

Does banding hurt birds?

No, banding does not hurt birds. When proper techniques and equipment are carefully employed, it’s a safe procedure for birds. Trained banders, who apply their expertise and thoughtfulness towards the health and well-being of the birds, follow strict procedures based on the Bander’s ethic code .

Canada Goose with Leg Band and Neck Collar

How do I get a certificate of appreciation after reporting a banded bird?

Certificates of appreciation are given to people who have found birds with leg bands or color markers and reported them to the Bird Banding Laboratory through their " Report a bird with a federal band or color marker " website. Certificates are automatically generated when you report a bird and can be downloaded immediately after your report is...

Image: Eskimo Volunteers Helping with Banding

I found (or killed) a bird with a band or color marker around its leg. What do I do?

Bird band information is an important tool that is used to monitor populations, set hunting regulations, restore endangered species, study effects of environmental contaminants, and address such issues as Avian Influenza, bird hazards at airports, and crop depredations. The North American Bird Banding Program is jointly administered by the U.S...

A color banded plover in the hand of a scientist.

Who can band birds?

Because banding birds requires capturing the birds and handling them before the banding takes place, the banding of birds in the United States is controlled under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and requires a federal banding permit. Some states require a state permit as well. Only official federal bands can be legally placed on birds that are...

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Year Published: 2021

U.S. Geological Survey migratory bird science, 2020–21

Bird conservation as an endeavor engages a broad range of partners and a coordinated effort across State and Federal agencies, nongovernment organizations, universities and, at times, international partnerships. To understand information needs and respond to the many challenges in bird conservation, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists...

Pearse, Aaron T.; Sherfy, Mark H.; Wimer, Mark; Khalil, Mona; Wiltermuth, Mark

Attribution: Eastern Ecological Science Center, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Ecosystems, Region 1: North Atlantic-Appalachian, United States of America

View Citation

Pearse, A.T., Sherfy, M.H., Wimer, M., Khalil, M., and Wiltermuth, M.T., 2021, U.S. Geological Survey migratory bird science, 2020–21: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1480, 131 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/cir1480.

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Year Published: 2013

The U.S. Geological Survey Bird Banding Laboratory: an integrated scientific program supporting research and conservation of North American birds

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) was established in 1920 after ratification of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act with the United Kingdom in 1918. During World War II, the BBL was moved from Washington, D.C., to what is now the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC). The BBL issues permits and bands to permittees...

Smith, Gregory J.

Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Ecosystems, Region 1: North Atlantic-Appalachian, United States of America, Bird Banding Laboratory

View Citation

The U.S. Geological Survey Bird Banding Laboratory: an integrated scientific program supporting research and conservation of North American birds; 2013; OFR; 2013-1238; Smith, Gregory J.

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A male Blue-winged Teal in flight

Date published: July 7, 2020

USGS Celebrates 100 Years of Bird Banding Lab

Birds bring joy merely by their presence, from their bold colors and majestic songs to their grace as they glide through the sky. Birds contribute more than beauty to the environment and society. Many plants depend on hummingbirds and other species to pollinate them. Hawks and owls prey on rodents and other pests. Fruit- and grain-eating birds help spread plants’ seeds.

Attribution: Ecosystems, Region 1: North Atlantic-Appalachian, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center

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banding waterfowl

July 26, 2017

Banding waterfowl

The captured waterfowl are gently banded with a unique number that can be read if and when it is captured again.

Attribution: Western Ecological Research Center

A whooping crane mother and her two chicks in Louisiana, 2016

April 13, 2016

A whooping crane mother and her two chicks in Louisiana, 2016

Female whooping crane L6-12 and chicks LW1-16 and LW2-16, April 13, 2016. These are the first wild-hatched whooper chicks in Louisiana since 1939. Their parents, a four-year-old female and a three-year-old male, were raised at USGS’ Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland, where researchers work to rebuild free-flying populations of the bugle-voiced, endangered birds

Attribution: Ecosystems, Wildlife Program, Region 4: Mississippi Basin

A little red bird being handled by scientist

August 31, 2015

Iiwi banded at Hakalau 1

Adult Iiwi being banded at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii

Attribution: Ecosystems, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center

Flying, banded Greater White-fronted geese in northern Alaska

June 21, 2013

Banded Greater White-fronted geese flying in northern Alaska

Banded Greater White-fronted geese flying in northern Alaska.

Attribution: Region 11: Alaska, Alaska Science Center

October 27, 2011

PubTalk 10/2011 — Migratory Connectivity in a Changing Climate

by Susan Haig, Wildlife Ecologist

Scientists are studying global migratory animal movements throughout their annual cycles to improve conservation efforts
Changing climate conditions have accentuated this need, as species movements and their ranges are fluctuating every year
Technology being used to study the

March 31, 2011

PubTalk 3/2011 — Unraveling the Mystery of Avian Navigation

New research indicates that birds are listening to the landscape to find their way

By Jon Hagstrum, Research Geophysicist

For nearly 40 years, biologists have been unable to agree on how birds find their way over great distances during homing or migrational flights
Do birds use their olfactory senses, the Earth's

Screen shot of number of birds banded

November 30, 2000

No. Birds Banded

Osprey with bird bands in nest

January 1, 0000

Osprey with bird bands

Osprey, Pandion haliaetus, with bird bands in nest with mate

Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Location and abundance of ducks captured and banded in Suisun Marsh

Location and abundance of ducks captured and banded in Suisun Marsh

Location and abundance of ducks captured and banded in Suisun Marsh during the late summer (May-September), and recovered (N=9,368) since 1932 in North America. The main map shows recovered mallards (orange) in the western U.S., and the inset map shows recovered mallard (orange; N=8,367), northern pintail (green; N=670), gadwall (blue; N=246), and cinnamon teal (yellow; N=

...

Attribution: Western Ecological Research Center

Banding a Least Common Tern Chick

Banding a Least Common Tern Chick

A member of the field crew holds a recently banded least tern chick, displaying both its metal permanent band and its plastic field readable band.

Attribution: Ecosystems, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Bird Banding Laboratory

Photo of Bird Bands in a Variety of Sizes and Types

Bird Bands in a Variety of Sizes and Types

Photo of Bird Bands in a Variety of Sizes and Types

Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Bird Banding Laboratory