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Science

Various resources required for banders to capture, band, mark or track bird as well as for banders and the general public to report sightings of marked birds.

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Report a Band

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Federal Permit

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Bander Portal

FAQs

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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

Learn More

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...

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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...

Learn More

Education

Memos to All Banders and Bird Banding Notes

Explore the historical banding notes and memos to all banders (MTABs) since 1922. Learn how the capture and bird banding techniques have evolved and how they have played a critical role to monitor the status and trends of resident and migratory bird populations.

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Memos to All Banders and Bird Banding Notes

Explore the historical banding notes and memos to all banders (MTABs) since 1922. Learn how the capture and bird banding techniques have evolved and how they have played a critical role to monitor the status and trends of resident and migratory bird populations.

Learn More