Bird Banding
Bird banding is a research method used to acquire accurate information about bird movement and life span. A leg band with an individual number or symbol is attached and the bird is released; if it is found later the bird can be identified by this number.

This research method started in Europe, and is now in wide use all over the world. Banding centers in various countries keep in touch and exchange information.

The North American Bird Banding Program is jointly administered by the United States Department of the Interior and the Canadian Wildlife Service. Their respective banding offices have similar functions and policies and use the same bands, reporting forms and data formats. Joint coordination of the program dates back to 1923.

Researchers and volunteer banders carefully catch and band birds and then release them. Special permits are needed to capture birds for this purpose.

Bird Banders
People who are qualified to band birds are called banders. It is necessary for them to be able to distinguish various species and have the skills to catch and release birds without injuring them. Authorized banders apply for a permit to catch birds. Most of the people taking part in banding activities are volunteers. Dick Stauffer, owner of Stauffer-Henley Inc., is an authorized bird bander.

Why We Band

Dispersal and Migration

Every bander participates in studies of dispersal and migration by sending all their banding data into a central site, the Bird Banding Laboratory. When banded birds are captured, released alive and reported from somewhere else we can reconstruct the movements of the individual bird.

Behavior and Social Structure

Many researchers use banding as one tool in their studies of bird populations and communities.

Determining Life Span

Banding allows the determination of the minimum length of time an individual bird lives.

Population Studies

Banding and marking birds can also be used to estimate the numbers of birds in a population using a mark-recapture technique.

Estimating Survival and Productivity

Banding data allows for the comparison of normal, wild banded birds with birds that may have had their survival altered by exposure to environmental hazards.

Toxicology and Disease Research

Birds can be vectors of diseases which affect people.