What is the Bird Banding Program and Where Do I Send Bird Band Information?

The North American Bird Banding Program is jointly administered by the U.S. Geological Survey (a bureau within the Department of the Interior), and the Canadian Wildlife Service.

Bird banding is one of the most useful tools in the modern study of wild birds. Wild birds are captured and marked with a uniquely numbered band or ring placed on the leg. The bander recor/*ds where and when each bird is banded, how old it is, what sex it is, and any other information and sends those data to the Bird Banding Laboratory. Information from bands subsequently found and reported to the Lab provides data on the distribution and movements of species, their relative numbers, annual production, life span, and causes of death. Such information increases our knowledge and understanding of birds and their habits and assists us in their management and conservation.

The Bird Banding Program supports the work of Federal and State conservation agencies, the academic community, professional and amateur orinthologists, non-government agencies, and businesses. The program assists officials in promulgating hunting regulations, monitoring bird populations and behavior, studying the effects of environmental contaminants, restoring endangered species, and addressing issues of human concern that involve birds.

Please visit the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center's Bird Banding Laboratory home page for additional information on the program and instructions for reporting bird bands.

For information regarding this Web page, please contact us.

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