The new pavilion and tables at the BBL Bird banding station at the Patuxent Research Refuge.
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:
● Change in the responsible individual for a Master Station Banding Permit
● Request color and auxiliary marking permission
Additional information is on the General Permit Information webpage of the Bird Banding Laboratory.
Related
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. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Canadian Wildlife...
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 completed. If you want an additional copy of your...
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.
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 apply their expertise and thoughtfulness towards the...
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 released to the wild within the United States. Banders...
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.
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 the Bander Portal. You can find out more information on the Bander Portal by watching the lab's video tutorials.
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.
What functions are available in the Bander Portal for bird banders?
Use the Bander Portal to: Submit your banding and recapture data to the Bird Banding Laboratory View and download your banding and recapture data View your data submission history View and update your contact information List subpermittees, band inventory, and locations associated with your permit Order bands and confirm bands as received Request transferal of bands TO your permit or FROM your...
How can I get bird banding and encounter data, and longevity records, 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. Longevity records shows recorder holders for each bird species and...
New Pavilion at the Bird Banding Station
The new pavilion and tables at the BBL Bird banding station at the Patuxent Research Refuge.
Banding station at Lake Abert
Research in the field means making the most of your surroundings! Scientist Andrea Mott set up this work station on the dry lake bed of Lake Abert to get the birds banded with GPS trackers close to where they were captured.
Research in the field means making the most of your surroundings! Scientist Andrea Mott set up this work station on the dry lake bed of Lake Abert to get the birds banded with GPS trackers close to where they were captured.
Bird Banding Nets
Lauren Walker and Stephanie Egger remove birds from the nets at the banding station to band and record data.
Lauren Walker and Stephanie Egger remove birds from the nets at the banding station to band and record data.
Banding a least tern chick
A researcher bands an endangered Least Tern chick on Poplar Island, MD
A researcher bands an endangered Least Tern chick on Poplar Island, MD
Banding Red Knots at Gray's Harbor
A team of biologists sits in a circle to weigh and measure captured Red Knots. Photo credit: Zak Pohlenm, USFWS
A team of biologists sits in a circle to weigh and measure captured Red Knots. Photo credit: Zak Pohlenm, USFWS
EESC Bird Banding Lab at PRR on Sep 15 2021_Kyra Harvey
The Eastern Ecological Science Center Bird Banding Lab at Patuxent Research Refuge on Sep 15 2021 Kyra Harvey.
The Eastern Ecological Science Center Bird Banding Lab at Patuxent Research Refuge on Sep 15 2021 Kyra Harvey.
Banding a red-throated loon
Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) student Austin Bergerson attaching a coded metal band to the leg of red-throated loon (Gavia stellata).
Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) student Austin Bergerson attaching a coded metal band to the leg of red-throated loon (Gavia stellata).
Old Banding Station
This is the banding station used by BBL for years before the recent upgrades.
This is the banding station used by BBL for years before the recent upgrades.
Iiwi banding 2
Measuring the wing length of a banded Iiwi
Measuring the wing length of a banded Iiwi
Iiwi banded at Hakalau 1
Adult Iiwi being banded at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii
Adult Iiwi being banded at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii
PubTalk 10/2011 — Migratory Connectivity in a Changing Climate
by Susan Haig, Wildlife Ecologist
Related
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. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Canadian Wildlife...
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 completed. If you want an additional copy of your...
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.
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 apply their expertise and thoughtfulness towards the...
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 released to the wild within the United States. Banders...
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.
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 the Bander Portal. You can find out more information on the Bander Portal by watching the lab's video tutorials.
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.
What functions are available in the Bander Portal for bird banders?
Use the Bander Portal to: Submit your banding and recapture data to the Bird Banding Laboratory View and download your banding and recapture data View your data submission history View and update your contact information List subpermittees, band inventory, and locations associated with your permit Order bands and confirm bands as received Request transferal of bands TO your permit or FROM your...
How can I get bird banding and encounter data, and longevity records, 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. Longevity records shows recorder holders for each bird species and...
New Pavilion at the Bird Banding Station
The new pavilion and tables at the BBL Bird banding station at the Patuxent Research Refuge.
The new pavilion and tables at the BBL Bird banding station at the Patuxent Research Refuge.
Banding station at Lake Abert
Research in the field means making the most of your surroundings! Scientist Andrea Mott set up this work station on the dry lake bed of Lake Abert to get the birds banded with GPS trackers close to where they were captured.
Research in the field means making the most of your surroundings! Scientist Andrea Mott set up this work station on the dry lake bed of Lake Abert to get the birds banded with GPS trackers close to where they were captured.
Bird Banding Nets
Lauren Walker and Stephanie Egger remove birds from the nets at the banding station to band and record data.
Lauren Walker and Stephanie Egger remove birds from the nets at the banding station to band and record data.
Banding a least tern chick
A researcher bands an endangered Least Tern chick on Poplar Island, MD
A researcher bands an endangered Least Tern chick on Poplar Island, MD
Banding Red Knots at Gray's Harbor
A team of biologists sits in a circle to weigh and measure captured Red Knots. Photo credit: Zak Pohlenm, USFWS
A team of biologists sits in a circle to weigh and measure captured Red Knots. Photo credit: Zak Pohlenm, USFWS
EESC Bird Banding Lab at PRR on Sep 15 2021_Kyra Harvey
The Eastern Ecological Science Center Bird Banding Lab at Patuxent Research Refuge on Sep 15 2021 Kyra Harvey.
The Eastern Ecological Science Center Bird Banding Lab at Patuxent Research Refuge on Sep 15 2021 Kyra Harvey.
Banding a red-throated loon
Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) student Austin Bergerson attaching a coded metal band to the leg of red-throated loon (Gavia stellata).
Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) student Austin Bergerson attaching a coded metal band to the leg of red-throated loon (Gavia stellata).
Old Banding Station
This is the banding station used by BBL for years before the recent upgrades.
This is the banding station used by BBL for years before the recent upgrades.
Iiwi banding 2
Measuring the wing length of a banded Iiwi
Measuring the wing length of a banded Iiwi
Iiwi banded at Hakalau 1
Adult Iiwi being banded at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii
Adult Iiwi being banded at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii
PubTalk 10/2011 — Migratory Connectivity in a Changing Climate
by Susan Haig, Wildlife Ecologist
Updated Date: March 13, 2025