Biology and Ecosystems

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 Laboratory.

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Location and abundance of ducks captured and banded in Suisun Marsh

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 .

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...

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.

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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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

Canada Goose with Leg Band and Neck Collar

May 20, 2017

CAGO with Leg Band and Neck Collar

Canada Goose with Leg Band and Neck Collar

Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

BBL Marked Plover

September 27, 2016

BBL Marked Plover

Attribution: Ecosystems, Status and Trends Program, Northeast, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab

Newly banded palila nestling

May 20, 2016

Newly banded palila nestling

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, Northwest - Pacific Islands, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center

tagging long-billed curlew

May 1, 2015

Biologists banding long-billed curlew in Boardman, OR

USGS biologist places identification bands on the leg of a long-billed curlew as part of a study to estimate long-billed curlew abundance and density using unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct surveys at the Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility (NWSTF) in Boardman, OR.

Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC)

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

Image: Canada Goose Banding

May 31, 2008

Canada Goose Banding

As part of an annual statewide waterfowl banding effort, Iowa State Coop student Brad Heller holds a Canada Goose still while Iowa DNR wildlife biologist attaches a leg band to the bird, outside of Clear Lake. The project is aimed at providing information on population parameters, such as survival and harvest rates.

BBL Federal Permit

BBL Federal Permit

BBL Federal Permit

Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Bird Banding Supplies

Bird Banding Supplies

Bird Banding Supplies

Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Aluminum band and one plastic colored leg bands in a Brown Pelican

Banded Brown Pelican legs

Aluminum band and one plastic colored leg bands in a Brown Pelican

Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center