Biology and Ecosystems

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 completed. If you want an additional copy of your certificate, go to the above linked website and Request a Certificate of Appreciation.

If the bird is already dead, you can remove and keep the band after submitting your report.

(Spanish) Los certificados de reconocimiento se entregan a las personas que han encontrado aves con anillos o marcadores de color y las han reportado al Laboratorio de Anillamiento de Aves a través de su sitio web www.reportband.gov. Los certificados se generan automáticamente cuando usted reporta un ave y se pueden descargar inmediatamente después de que se complete su informe. Si desea una copia adicional de su certificado, vaya al sitio web vinculado arriba y solicite un certificado de reconocimiento.

Si el ave ya está muerta, puede conservar el anillo después de enviar su informe.

(French) Les certificats d’appréciation sont distribués aux personnes qui ont trouvé des oiseaux avec des bagues ou des marqueurs de couleur et qui les ont enregistrés au Laboratoire de baguage d’oiseaux à travers leur site web « Enregistrer un oiseau portant une bague fédérale ou un marqueur de couleur ». Les certificats sont automatiquement générés lorsque vous rapportez un oiseau et peut être téléchargé immédiatement après que votre rapport ait été complété. Si vous désirez une copie additionnelle de votre certificat, cliquez sur le site web ci-dessus et Demandez un certificat d’appréciation.

Si l’oiseau est déjà mort, vous pouvez enlever et garder la bague après avoir soumis votre rapport.

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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...

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 .

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.

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...

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...

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 .

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...

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...

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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

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July 26, 2017

Banding waterfowl

The captured waterfowl are gently banded with a unique number that can be read if and when it is captured again.

Attribution: Western Ecological Research Center

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, Bird Banding Laboratory

May 1, 2015

Biologists banding long-billed curlew in Boardman, OR

USGS biologist places identification bands on the leg of a long-billed curlew as part of a study to estimate long-billed curlew abundance and density using unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct surveys at the Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility (NWSTF) in Boardman, OR.

Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

November 14, 2013

Banded whooping crane and mate observed during fall migration.

Banded whooping crane and mate observed during fall migration in central Kansas.

Attribution: Ecosystems, Energy & Wildlife, Wildlife Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

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