Due to a lapse in appropriations, the majority of USGS websites may not be up to date and may not reflect current conditions. Websites displaying real-time data, such as Earthquake and Water and information needed for public health and safety will be updated with limited support. Additionally, USGS will not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted. For more information, please see www.doi.gov/shutdown

Biology and Ecosystems

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.

Related Content

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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.

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 www.reportband.gov . 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...

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 may 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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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

Whooping crane , copyright Ted Thousand

August 8, 2016

Whooping crane with freshwater mussel

The image was taken August 11, 2012 at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. The bird is 26-09 (female) making her 3 years old when the image was taken. She is an Operation Migration bird raised at Patuxent from an International Crane Foundtion egg. Her mate 27-06 is a Direct Autumn Release bird.

The bird is foraging in a flowage (Rynearson Flowage) that’s water levels

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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

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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

Bandit Opening Screen

Bandit

Bandit Opening Screen

Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Banded Bicknell's Thrush with color leg bands on Stratton Mountain, Vermont.

Banded Bicknell's Thrush

Banded Bicknell's Thrush with color leg bands on Stratton Mountain, Vermont.

Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Banding a Least Common Tern Chick

Prosser - PoplarTernBanding

April 11, 2018

BBL Bandit User Manual

Bandit is the latest in a series of programs aimed at helping bird banders manage and submit their data for
banded birds. We have tried to make the process of maintaining banding records as simple as possible.
Bandit was created by the Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) at the U. S. Geological Survey Patuxent Wildlife
Research Center, Laurel, Maryland.

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