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How many birds are banded?

For the calendar year 2001, 1,049,646 birds were banded in the United States and Canada, and 97,204 recoveries were reported to the Bird Banding Laboratory. These included birds from the following groups:

• Ducks 222,006 banded; 48,576 recovered
• Geese (includes Brant) 132,295 banded; 39,766 recovered
• Swans 1,063 banded; 555 recovered
• Doves 4,329 banded; 156 recovered
• Woodcock 934 banded; 94 recovered
• Nongame 689,019 banded; 8057 recovered

Included in Nongame birds are hawks and owls, most (non-waterfowl) endangered species, wading birds, and songbirds (including neotropical migrants) as well as other birds that are not eaten as game.

Where are the grouse, quail, turkey, pheasant? These birds are no longer banded with federal bands. Each state or province uses their own bands on these birds, as they are not covered by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

In 2001, the following Nongame birds were banded or recovered:

• Eagles 539 banded; 159 recovered
• Hawks and Owls other than eagles 43,249 banded; 1500 recovered
• Herons, Egrets, Ibis, and Bitterns 864 banded; 19 recovered
• Gulls and Terns 54,397 banded; 1341 recovered
• Shorebirds 16,320 banded; 136 recovered
• Vireos and Warblers 131,110 banded; 89 recovered

Of course, there are many other groups that are not listed!

Birds Banded and Recovered by Species Number
Summarized Counts of How many Birds were Banded