Federal Permit

Master banders can request the reactivation of an inactive banding permit at any time.

Master banding permits are normally renewed for a 3-year period although shorter renewal cycles may be required at the discretion of the BBL. Sixty days before the banding permit will expire, the BBL will automatically send via email a renewal notification to the master bander. If the banding permit is not renewed, then another renewal notification will be sent by email 30 days before the permit...

Bird banding has long been recognized as an important research tool that has substantially improved our understanding of many aspects of avian biology and provides 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...

A Federal Bird Banding and Marking Permit is required by the Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) whenever someone wants to place a bird band or any type of marker on a wild bird protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act or on a Federally-protected bird that will be released into the wild.

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 U. S. Federal Bird Banding and Marking Permit. There is no fee for this permit. U.S. Federal Bird Banding and Marking Permits are valid for a period of 3 years. Some states require a state permit as...

Bird banding data are useful in both scientific research and management and conservation projects. Individual identification of birds makes possible studies of dispersal and migration, behavior and social structure, life-span and survival rate, reproductive success and population growth.

Instructions in how to fill out the master banding permit

Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) permits may be inactivated under a variety of circumstances. If a bander shows no activity under their permit for a period of three years, their permit may be inactivated for an indefinite period until they need to band birds.

Requests for sub-permitees need to be made by the master Bander.

Swab sampling is a standard method in avian disease surveillance. Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs are minimally invasive. Tracheal swabs, especially for smaller birds (passerines) are more invasive and may more often be performed on dead birds.

The Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) can provide authorization to sample feathers collected from migratory birds captured for the purpose of banding and/or marking. If migratory birds are captured for the sole purpose of obtaining feather samples, then a Migratory Bird Collecting Permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will be required.

Detailed information about the application process is found on the page with master banding permit application form and instructions . Please recognize that the new responsible individual must have sufficient banding experience to qualify for a master banding permit with the existing authorizations on the station permit.