Biology and Ecosystems

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 tables of valid codes for various banding data fields (e.g. age, sex, etc.) and recommended band sizes by species,
View your permit authorizations,
Download/print your permit.

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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 .

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...

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...

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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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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Resources for Banders

March 5, 2018

Resources for Banders

Resources for Banders

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

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, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Bird Banding Laboratory

Banding table setup

May 31, 2016

Banding table setup

Attribution: Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center

Image: Students recording bird band recovery records

Students recording bird band recovery records

Students Anaga Nmagu and Danielle Travers, hired with ARRA funds, are converting more than one million hand-written bird band recovery records into digital format at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Once digitized, these invaluable recovery records will be linked to the Bird Banding Laboratory's new Oracle database for easy access by researchers and managers

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Bird Banding Supplies

Bird Banding Supplies

Bird Banding Supplies

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

Placing a federal band in a Northern Parula

Banding a Northern Parula

Placing a federal band in a Northern Parula

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

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, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Bird Banding Laboratory

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, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Bird Banding Laboratory

Bandit Opening Screen

Bandit

Bandit Opening Screen

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