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Report a bird with a Federal Band or Color Marker

Examples of Federal bands and color markers

Thank you for reporting a bird with a Federal Band or Color Marker!

If you have already reported your Federal Band or Color Marker and want another copy of your Certificate of Appreciation click here

PLEASE NOTE: If the band has the letters "AU", "IF", "CU" "NPA" or "IPB" it is probably a captive pigeon band. Please do not report captive pigeon bands to the BBL, we do not keep a database of these birds. You can find more information at: http://www.pigeon.org/lostbirdinfo.htm

When you submit a report, we will provide you the details about when and where the bird was originally marked. A copy of your report will be provided to the researcher who originally applied the band and/or marker.

Your report will be added to a database maintained cooperatively by the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory and Canadian Wildlife Service, Bird Banding Office. This database contains more than 4 million band encounter records that document movements, longevity, and sources of mortality for North America's migratory birds. This information 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.

If you experience problems using this website, please contact us at bandreports@usgs.gov.

OMB Control #_1028-0082
Approval expires:1/31/2016

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501), please note the following. This information collection is authorized by The Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. 703-712. Your response is voluntary.  We estimate that it will take approximately 2 minutes to prepare and submit the recovery report. An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget control number. OMB has reviewed and approved this information collection and assigned OMB Control Number 1028-0082. You may submit comments on any aspect of this information collection, including the accuracy of the estimated burden hours and suggestions to reduce this burden. Send your comments to: Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 807, Reston, VA 20192.











Please select all the options that apply to you:
I am the finder or am reporting on behalf of the finder.
I am a bird bander or a bander's assistant.
I am Federal, State, or Provincial official.
 
I am reporting a:
Numbered metal Federal band.
Numbered metal Federal band and color marker from the same bird.
Color marker only.Help
 
Do you know the species?
Yes    No
Band Number
- Help
Is the band too worn to read?
If so, please contact us at bandreports@usgs.gov or 301-497-5825
Reward Number
(if present)
How obtained? Help
Status of the band Help
Status of the bird Help
Date of encounter
Date Picker
 mm/dd/yyyy
If you do not know the exact date you encountered the bird click here
Comments Help
Maximum 250 characters

Please complete only those fields which describe the markers seen on the bird

Neck Collar   1  
Code (if any):
Color of Marker:
Color of Code:
  2    Leg Flag 
Code (if any):
Which Leg:
Color of Marker:
Color of Code:
Wing Tag   3  
Code (if any):
Which Wing:
Color of Marker:
Color of Code:
  4   Tail Streamer
Color of Marker:
Nasal Saddle/Disk Nasal Marker   5  
Code (if any):
Marker Shape:
Color of Marker:
Color of Code:
  6   Web/Toe Tag 
Code (if any):
Which Leg:
Color Leg Band (Left Leg) #1   7a 
Code (if any):
Color of Marker:
Color of Code:
  8a  Color Leg Band (Right Leg) #1
Code (if any):
Color of Marker:
Color of Code:
Color Leg Band (Left Leg) #2   7b 
Code (if any):
Color of Marker:
Color of Code:
  8b  Color Leg Band (Right Leg) #2
Code (if any):
Color of Marker:
Color of Code:
Color Leg Band (Left Leg) #3   7c 
Code (if any):
Color of Marker:
Color of Code:
  8c  Color Leg Band (Right Leg) #3
Code (if any):
Color of Marker:
Color of Code:
Was there dye?   Was there an electronic device?
Head dye (if any):
Back dye (if any):
Breast dye (if any):
Wing dye (if any):
Tail dye (if any):
If yes specify:
The device type:
Where attached:
Comments

Maximum 250 characters

If the bird did not have an auxiliary marker click here
Please select the country and state/province of your encounter
Country:           
State/Province:

Please enter your contact information:

1.  First Name
Last Name
Email
Daytime Phone (please enter digits only, it will be formatted automatically)
Country
Street Address
(Please Note: For US locations, you only need to provide Address and Zip Code;
City and State will be filled in by system automatically.)
Zip or Postal Code
City
State
Would you like to receive a certificate of the banding data via email?
Yes No

Your response will apply to any additional contacts as well.

Please review the information you have entered below

If there are any errors, click "edit" next to it and make corrections.
If the information is correct, click "Send to BBL" button to complete your submission.