The federal band numbers on a recaptured Northern Saw-whet Owl at the Willistown Conservation Trust, Banding station at Rushton Woods Preserve, Pennsylvania. This owl was originally banded in Thunder Bay Ontario.
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 Service. Their respective banding offices use the same bands, reporting forms, and data formats. You can report bird bands to either agency.
To report a bird band to the USGS, please contact the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory by following the instructions on the mobile-friendly USGS Bird Band Reporting website.
If the bird is already dead, you can remove and keep the band after reporting it.
Related
Who can band birds? 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 can I stop birds from repeatedly hitting my windows? How can I stop birds from repeatedly hitting my windows?
Bird collisions with glass can occur for several reasons, reflection, transparency or for territory. Glass on our windows and doors can reflect surrounding vegetation or sky giving the illusion that it’s a landscape that birds can use. Transparency can also occur when a bird is able to see true habitat through a set of windows and perceives the space as a fly-through. For example, a transparency...
I recovered a bird band with illegible numbers. How can I get the band etched so I can read and report the numbers? I recovered a bird band with illegible numbers. How can I get the band etched so I can read and report the numbers?
Most bird bands are made of an aluminum alloy and have unique numbers engraved. These numbers can wear off with time to the point that one or more numbers become illegible. The time that it takes for a bird band number to wear off depends on the habits of that bird species and the amount of time that it spends in the water. For instance, a band on a Mallard might wear off one number in 6 to 8...
What are the ethics and responsibilities of Bird Banders? 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...
Does banding hurt birds? 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.
Federal Band Number on a Northern Saw-whet Owl
The federal band numbers on a recaptured Northern Saw-whet Owl at the Willistown Conservation Trust, Banding station at Rushton Woods Preserve, Pennsylvania. This owl was originally banded in Thunder Bay Ontario.
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).
Female Southwestern Willow Flycatcher with colorful bands
Female Southwestern Willow Flycatcher with colorful bandsFemale Southwestern Willow Flycatcher with colorful bands in 2019 on the upper San Luis Rey River. The bird was originally banded as a nestling by USGS biologist Scarlett Howell on the upper San Luis Rey River in July 2017.
Female Southwestern Willow Flycatcher with colorful bands
Female Southwestern Willow Flycatcher with colorful bandsFemale Southwestern Willow Flycatcher with colorful bands in 2019 on the upper San Luis Rey River. The bird was originally banded as a nestling by USGS biologist Scarlett Howell on the upper San Luis Rey River in July 2017.
ID Bands for Suisun Waterfowl
USGS scientists attach small metal bands, each with its own ID, to the ankles of adult waterfowl to identify where the animal was caught. When it is re-captured later in its migration, researchers can use that information to determine how far the animal traveled.
USGS scientists attach small metal bands, each with its own ID, to the ankles of adult waterfowl to identify where the animal was caught. When it is re-captured later in its migration, researchers can use that information to determine how far the animal traveled.
Iiwi banding 2
Measuring the wing length of a banded Iiwi
Measuring the wing length of a banded Iiwi
Banded adult Piping Plover on river mile 1334 of the Missouri River, North Dakota
Banded adult Piping Plover on river mile 1334 of the Missouri River, North DakotaBanded adult Piping Plover on river mile 1334 of the Missouri River, North Dakota
Banded adult Piping Plover on river mile 1334 of the Missouri River, North Dakota
Banded adult Piping Plover on river mile 1334 of the Missouri River, North DakotaBanded adult Piping Plover on river mile 1334 of the Missouri River, North Dakota
PubTalk 10/2011 — Migratory Connectivity in a Changing Climate
PubTalk 10/2011 — Migratory Connectivity in a Changing Climateby Susan Haig, Wildlife Ecologist
PubTalk 3/2011 — Unraveling the Mystery of Avian Navigation
PubTalk 3/2011 — Unraveling the Mystery of Avian NavigationNew research indicates that birds are listening to the landscape to find their way
By Jon Hagstrum, Research Geophysicist
PubTalk 3/2011 — Unraveling the Mystery of Avian Navigation
PubTalk 3/2011 — Unraveling the Mystery of Avian NavigationNew research indicates that birds are listening to the landscape to find their way
By Jon Hagstrum, Research Geophysicist
A color banded plover in the hand of a scientist.
A color banded plover in the hand of a scientist.
A color banded plover in the hand of a scientist.
Banded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen, Alaska
Banded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen, AlaskaBanded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen on the Arctic coastal plain of Alaska. This was one of many study site locations of waterbird-oriented ecosystem studies in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska from 1974-1992.
Banded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen, Alaska
Banded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen, AlaskaBanded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen on the Arctic coastal plain of Alaska. This was one of many study site locations of waterbird-oriented ecosystem studies in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska from 1974-1992.
Eskimo Volunteers Helping with Banding
Two Yupik Eskimo students from Chevak, Alaska holding a tundra swan cygnet. These student volunteers were helping with an annual USGS waterfowl banding program along the Kashunuk River near the Bering Sea coast in western Alaska.
Two Yupik Eskimo students from Chevak, Alaska holding a tundra swan cygnet. These student volunteers were helping with an annual USGS waterfowl banding program along the Kashunuk River near the Bering Sea coast in western Alaska.
Bird-banding Kit
The kit contains over 600 pieces and was used at the Bird Banding Laboratory at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Maryland.
Object ID: USGS-000219
The kit contains over 600 pieces and was used at the Bird Banding Laboratory at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Maryland.
Object ID: USGS-000219
Related
Who can band birds? 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 can I stop birds from repeatedly hitting my windows? How can I stop birds from repeatedly hitting my windows?
Bird collisions with glass can occur for several reasons, reflection, transparency or for territory. Glass on our windows and doors can reflect surrounding vegetation or sky giving the illusion that it’s a landscape that birds can use. Transparency can also occur when a bird is able to see true habitat through a set of windows and perceives the space as a fly-through. For example, a transparency...
I recovered a bird band with illegible numbers. How can I get the band etched so I can read and report the numbers? I recovered a bird band with illegible numbers. How can I get the band etched so I can read and report the numbers?
Most bird bands are made of an aluminum alloy and have unique numbers engraved. These numbers can wear off with time to the point that one or more numbers become illegible. The time that it takes for a bird band number to wear off depends on the habits of that bird species and the amount of time that it spends in the water. For instance, a band on a Mallard might wear off one number in 6 to 8...
What are the ethics and responsibilities of Bird Banders? 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...
Does banding hurt birds? 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.
Federal Band Number on a Northern Saw-whet Owl
The federal band numbers on a recaptured Northern Saw-whet Owl at the Willistown Conservation Trust, Banding station at Rushton Woods Preserve, Pennsylvania. This owl was originally banded in Thunder Bay Ontario.
The federal band numbers on a recaptured Northern Saw-whet Owl at the Willistown Conservation Trust, Banding station at Rushton Woods Preserve, Pennsylvania. This owl was originally banded in Thunder Bay Ontario.
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).
Female Southwestern Willow Flycatcher with colorful bands
Female Southwestern Willow Flycatcher with colorful bandsFemale Southwestern Willow Flycatcher with colorful bands in 2019 on the upper San Luis Rey River. The bird was originally banded as a nestling by USGS biologist Scarlett Howell on the upper San Luis Rey River in July 2017.
Female Southwestern Willow Flycatcher with colorful bands
Female Southwestern Willow Flycatcher with colorful bandsFemale Southwestern Willow Flycatcher with colorful bands in 2019 on the upper San Luis Rey River. The bird was originally banded as a nestling by USGS biologist Scarlett Howell on the upper San Luis Rey River in July 2017.
ID Bands for Suisun Waterfowl
USGS scientists attach small metal bands, each with its own ID, to the ankles of adult waterfowl to identify where the animal was caught. When it is re-captured later in its migration, researchers can use that information to determine how far the animal traveled.
USGS scientists attach small metal bands, each with its own ID, to the ankles of adult waterfowl to identify where the animal was caught. When it is re-captured later in its migration, researchers can use that information to determine how far the animal traveled.
Iiwi banding 2
Measuring the wing length of a banded Iiwi
Measuring the wing length of a banded Iiwi
Banded adult Piping Plover on river mile 1334 of the Missouri River, North Dakota
Banded adult Piping Plover on river mile 1334 of the Missouri River, North DakotaBanded adult Piping Plover on river mile 1334 of the Missouri River, North Dakota
Banded adult Piping Plover on river mile 1334 of the Missouri River, North Dakota
Banded adult Piping Plover on river mile 1334 of the Missouri River, North DakotaBanded adult Piping Plover on river mile 1334 of the Missouri River, North Dakota
PubTalk 10/2011 — Migratory Connectivity in a Changing Climate
PubTalk 10/2011 — Migratory Connectivity in a Changing Climateby Susan Haig, Wildlife Ecologist
PubTalk 3/2011 — Unraveling the Mystery of Avian Navigation
PubTalk 3/2011 — Unraveling the Mystery of Avian NavigationNew research indicates that birds are listening to the landscape to find their way
By Jon Hagstrum, Research Geophysicist
PubTalk 3/2011 — Unraveling the Mystery of Avian Navigation
PubTalk 3/2011 — Unraveling the Mystery of Avian NavigationNew research indicates that birds are listening to the landscape to find their way
By Jon Hagstrum, Research Geophysicist
A color banded plover in the hand of a scientist.
A color banded plover in the hand of a scientist.
A color banded plover in the hand of a scientist.
Banded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen, Alaska
Banded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen, AlaskaBanded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen on the Arctic coastal plain of Alaska. This was one of many study site locations of waterbird-oriented ecosystem studies in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska from 1974-1992.
Banded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen, Alaska
Banded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen, AlaskaBanded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen on the Arctic coastal plain of Alaska. This was one of many study site locations of waterbird-oriented ecosystem studies in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska from 1974-1992.
Eskimo Volunteers Helping with Banding
Two Yupik Eskimo students from Chevak, Alaska holding a tundra swan cygnet. These student volunteers were helping with an annual USGS waterfowl banding program along the Kashunuk River near the Bering Sea coast in western Alaska.
Two Yupik Eskimo students from Chevak, Alaska holding a tundra swan cygnet. These student volunteers were helping with an annual USGS waterfowl banding program along the Kashunuk River near the Bering Sea coast in western Alaska.
Bird-banding Kit
The kit contains over 600 pieces and was used at the Bird Banding Laboratory at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Maryland.
Object ID: USGS-000219
The kit contains over 600 pieces and was used at the Bird Banding Laboratory at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Maryland.
Object ID: USGS-000219
Updated Date: March 4, 2025