ABOUT US
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.
about stauffer-henley inc.
Banding pliers for USGS Bands & The Aviculture Industry
Stauffer-Henley Inc. is based out of Olds, Alberta and owned by bird bander, Dick Stauffer. Dick is Mountain View County’s resident bird bander, and can often be found sneaking up to unsuspecting rural birdhouses, collecting data and banding occupants.
Dick Stauffer is one of 50 or 60 people who monitor nest box trails between Nanton and Olds in Alberta, Canada. Of those fifty, he is in a more exclusive group of only twenty who band birds, and even more exclusively, one of only two who collect data on egg laying and incubation.
A LOVE OF SCIENCE AND ornithology
It’s not the love of birds that keeps Dick Stauffer monitoring nest box trails, it’s the love of science, and the thrill of data collection that keeps him interested.
Dick Stauffer has been monitoring and banding birds for over 15 years. His wealth of knowledge through this experience can cut your learning curve significantly.
The success of banding studies relies greatly on the cooperation of people who find and recover banded birds. The data from banding surveys is vital in giving us knowledge about bird ecology. Bird Bands provide valuable information about bird movement and life span. A leg band is imprinted with an individual number or symbol. Once the leg band is affixed, the bird is identified by this number or symbol.
At Stauffer-Henley Inc. we are eagerly interested in assisting and promoting a general understanding of Bird Banding, its value and how you can become involved. Stauffer-Henley Inc. offers a number of items designed specifically for handling small birds. Whether you’re looking for banding tools, bird box plans or nest box traps, Stauffer-Henley Inc. has what you need.
If you have a specific band or banding problem or question, get in touch and we may be able to assist.
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.
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.
