Due to a lapse in appropriations, the majority of USGS websites may not be up to date and may not reflect current conditions. Websites displaying real-time data, such as Earthquake and Water and information needed for public health and safety will be updated with limited support. Additionally, USGS will not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted. For more information, please see www.doi.gov/shutdown
Bird Banding Laboratory
Science Center Objects
The Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) is an integrated scientific program established in 1920 supporting the collection, archiving, management and dissemination of information from banded and marked birds in North America. This information is used to monitor the status and trends of resident and migratory bird populations. Because birds are good indicators of the health of the environment, the status and trends of bird populations are critical for identifying and understanding many ecological issues and for developing effective science, management and conservation practices.
The BBL, since 1923 and in collaboration with the Bird Banding Office (BBO) of the Canadian Wildlife Service, administer the North American Bird Banding Program (NABBP), which manages more than 77 million archived banding records and more than 5 million records of encounters. In addition, each year approximately 1 million bands are shipped from the BBL to banders in the United States and Canada, and nearly 100,000 band encounter reports are submitted into the BBL systems.
Federal Bird Banding and Marking Permit (Public domain.)
Federal Bird Banding and Marking Permit
Following the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and its associated Federal regulations (16 U.S.C. 703-712), a Federal Bird Banding and Marking Permit is required to conduct all bird banding and/or marking activities.
- Obtain a federal permit
- Renew your permit
- Modify your permit (including adding new subpermitees)
- Ethics and responsibilities of bird banders
Access to Bander Portal (Public domain.)
If you already have a federal permit or sub-permit to band birds, sign in to the new Bander Portal to do the following:
- View and update your contact information
- View your list of subpermittees, band inventory and banding locations
- Order bands from BBL, request bands transfer and confirm bands as received
- Define access to menu options for your subpermitees
- View tables of valid codes for various banding data fields (e.g. age, sex, etc.) and recommended band sizes by species
- Download your inventory
In the future, data will be submitted through the bander portal, but in the meantime use Bandit (The Information Manager for Banding Operations) to submit data.
Canada Goose with a Neck Collar and Federal Band (Courtesy: David Kacynski)
Reporting a bird with a federal band or auxillary marker
- Report a band at www.reportband.gov
- Obtain your Certificate of Appreciation
- About federal bands
- About auxiliary markers
Fredrick C. Lincoln was an accomplished bird biologist and early bird bander (Public domain.)
Learn more about the BBL:
- Why do we band birds?
- Bird Banding at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
- Bird Banding Laboratory: Recent Accomplishments
- The U.S. Geological Survey Bird Banding Laboratory: An Integrated Scientific Program Supporting Research and Conservation of North American Birds By Gregory J. Smith (2013)
- The U.S. Geological Survey Report of the Federal Advisory Committee on the Bird Banding Laboratory By Susan D. Haseltine et al. (2008)
- The North American Bird Banding Program: Into the 21st Century Executive Summary By P.A. Buckley et al. (1995)
- A History of the Bird Banding Laboratory: 1920-2002
- Historical Banding Notes since 1922 (Memos to All Banders)
Bird Banding Laboratory
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
12100 Beech Forest Road
Laurel, MD 20708
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Date published: February 1, 2018Status: ActiveBird Banding Laboratory: Recent Accomplishments
The Challenge: Bird banding is indispensable for the study of bird movement, survival and behavior. The US Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) was established in 1920 and expanded into the current operation supporting the activities of approximately 1750 Master banders and more than 5200 sub-permittees. In collaboration with the Canadian Bird Banding Office, it jointly coordinates the North American...
Contacts: Bruce Peterjohn -
Date published: December 29, 2017Status: ActivePacific Island Bird Survey Design and Data Analysis
Abundance data are collected for bird populations throughout the Pacific Islands by numerous federal, state, university, and non-profit organizations. In order to ensure data are standardized and available to researchers throughout the region, interagency bird databases have been created and continue to be used. These databases contain more than a million compiled, proofed, and standardized...
Contacts: Richard J Camp, Paul Banko, Ph.D.Attribution: Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center -
Date published: March 14, 2017Status: ActiveEvaluation of Potential Offshore Wind Projects in the Northeastern U.S. on Endangered Roseate Terns: Who is at Risk and When?
The Challenge: Terns in coastal areas of the Northeastern US likely will be impacted by construction and operation of offshore wind turbines. The “Cape Cod & Islands” (CCMA) area of Massachusetts is a particularly important area for the endangered Northwest Atlantic Roseate Tern (ROST) population as most ROSTs from throughout the breeding range (Nova Scotia to Long Island, New York)...
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Date published: November 21, 2016Status and Breeding Ecology of the Arizona Grasshopper Sparrow
The Arizona Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum ammolegus) is a disjunct race that breeds in desert grasslands of southeastern Arizona, extreme southwestern New Mexico, and adjacent parts of northern Sonora and Chihuahua, Mexico.
Contacts: Janet Ruth, Ph.D.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center -
Date published: October 19, 2016Status: ActiveModeling Sex-specific Demographic Rates in Metapopulations
The Challenge: Research that integrates population dynamics and ecological studies is needed to identify the causal factors involved in population declines and viability. For highly mobile organisms such as birds, “between-patch” movements and the use of different geographic sites and habitats at various stages of the annual cycle can make it difficult to measure the effectiveness of “within-...
Contacts: Jeffrey Spendelow, Ph.D. -
Date published: August 11, 2016Status: ActiveAvian Studies
The marshes, floodplains, and riparian corridors (areas along streams and rivers) of the Bay-Delta are key wintering destinations for migratory waterbirds and serve as a crucial stopover on the Pacific Flyway (a major north-south route for birds, extending from Alaska to the tip of South America). The mosaic of wetland habitat types within the Bay-Delta is essential for the millions of...
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Date published: May 12, 2016Status: CompletedEvaluating ‘I‘iwi Responses to Nectar Availability and Habitat Quality
‘I‘iwi populations have severely declined in recent decades in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) and elsewhere in the Hawaiian Islands due to the cumulative impacts of many invasive threats that have degraded habitats, disrupted food webs, competed for resources, depredated nests and birds, and transmitted diseases.
Contacts: Paul Banko, Ph.D.Attribution: Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
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Year Published: 2013The U.S. Geological Survey Bird Banding Laboratory: an integrated scientific program supporting research and conservation of North American birds
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) was established in 1920 after ratification of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act with the United Kingdom in 1918. During World War II, the BBL was moved from Washington, D.C., to what is now the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC). The BBL issues permits and bands to permittees...
Smith, Gregory J.Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research CenterView CitationThe U.S. Geological Survey Bird Banding Laboratory: an integrated scientific program supporting research and conservation of North American birds; 2013; OFR; 2013-1238; Smith, Gregory J.
Biogeographical variation of plumage coloration in the sexually dichromatic Hawai‘i ‘Amakihi (Chlorodrepanis virens)
Plumage coloration in birds can be of major importance to mate selection, social signaling, or predator avoidance. Variations in plumage coloration related to sex, age class, or seasons have been widely studied, but the effect of other factors such as climate is less known. In this study, we examine how carotenoid-based plumage coloration and...
Gaudioso-Levita, Jacqueline M.; Hart, Patrick J.; Lapointe, Dennis; Veillet, Anne; Sebastian-Gonzalez, Esther Effects of surgically implanted transmitters on reproduction and survival in mallards
Abdominally implanted radiotransmitters have been widely used in studies of waterbird ecology; however, the longer handling times and invasiveness of surgical implantation raise important concerns about animal welfare and potential effects on data quality. Although it is difficult to assess effects of handling and marking wild animals by comparing...
Sheppard, Jennifer; Arnold, Todd W.; Amundson, Courtney L.; Klee, David Satellite-tagged osprey nearly sets longevity record and productivity response to initial captures
We equipped adult Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) from 24 nests in Oregon/Washington with satellite-tracked battery-powered radios, known as platform transmitter terminals (PTTs), in 1996–1999. These Ospreys from the lower Columbia River (river miles 76–286), and the Willamette Valley in western Oregon were part of a larger study of Osprey fall...
Henny, Charles J.; Martell, Mark S. Integrating Breeding Bird Survey and demographic data to estimate Wood Duck population size in the Atlantic Flyway
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) uses data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) to assist in monitoring and management of some migratory birds. However, BBS analyses provide indices of population change rather than estimates of population size, precluding their use in developing abundance-based objectives and limiting...
Zimmerman, Guthrie S.; Sauer, John R.; Boomer, G. Scott; Devers, Patrick K.; Garrettson, Pamela R. Species distribution models for a migratory bird based on citizen science and satellite tracking data
Species distribution models can provide critical baseline distribution information for the conservation of poorly understood species. Here, we compared the performance of band-tailed pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata) species distribution models created using Maxent and derived from two separate presence-only occurrence data sources in New Mexico...
Coxen, Christopher L.; Frey, Jennifer K.; Carleton, Scott A.; Collins, Daniel P.
Monitoring breeding and migration of neotropical migratory birds at Point Loma, San Diego County, California, 5-year summary, 2011–15
Executive SummaryWe operated a bird banding station on the Point Loma peninsula in western San Diego County, California, during spring and summer from 2011 to 2015. The station was established in 2010 as part of a long-term monitoring program for neotropical migratory birds during spring migration and for breeding birds as part of the Monitoring...
Lynn, Suellen; Madden, Melanie C.; Kus, Barbara E. Full annual cycle climate change vulnerability assessment for migratory birds
Climate change is a serious challenge faced by all plant and animal species. Climate change vulnerability assessments (CCVAs) are one method to assess risk and are increasingly used as a tool to inform management plans. Migratory animals move across regions and continents during their annual cycles where they are exposed to diverse climatic...
Culp, Leah A.; Cohen, Emily B.; Scarpignato, Amy L.; Thogmartin, Wayne E.; Marra, Peter P. The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) Working Group: 15 years of collaborative focal species research and management
The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) Working Group formed spontaneously in 2001 as coastal waterbird biologists recognized the potential for American Oystercatchers to serve as focal species for collaborative research and management. Accomplishments over the past 15 years include the establishment of rangewide surveys, color-banding...
Simons, Theodore R. Aging and sexing guide to the forest birds of Hawai‘i Island
We banded birds in Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge from 2012 to 2016, collecting photographs of birds and making detailed observations on coloration, morphology, and molting patterns. While we believe the criteria in this guide are applicable to forest birds across Hawai’i Island, as well as on other Hawaiian islands for ‘Apapane, ‘I‘iwi,...
Paxton, Eben H.; McLaughlin, Rachelle; Levins, Stephanie; VanderWerf, Eric; Lancaster, Nolan Dynamic distributions and population declines of Golden-winged Warblers: Chapter 1
With an estimated breeding population in 2010 of 383,000 pairs, the Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) is among the most vulnerable and steeply declining of North American passerines. This species also has exhibited among the most dynamic breeding distributions, with populations expanding and then contracting over the past 150 years in...
Rosenberg, Kenneth V.; Will, Tom; Buehler, David A.; Barker Swarthout, Sara; Thogmartin, Wayne E.; Bennett, Ruth E.; Chandler, Richard Cross-seasonal effects on waterfowl productivity: Implications under climate change
Previous efforts to relate winter-ground precipitation to subsequent reproductive success as measured by the ratio of juveniles to adults in the autumn failed to account for increased vulnerability of juvenile ducks to hunting and uncertainty in the estimated age ratio. Neglecting increased juvenile vulnerability will positively bias the mean...
Osnas, Erik; Zhao, Qing; Runge, Michael C.; Boomer, G Scott Evidence for the exchange of blood parasites between North America and the Neotropics in blue-winged teal (Anas discors)
Blue-winged teal (Anas discors) are abundant, small-bodied dabbling ducks that breed throughout the prairies of the northcentral USA and central Canada and that winter in the southern USA and northern Neotropics. Given the migratory tendencies of this species, it is plausible that blue-winged teal may disperse avian pathogens, such as parasites...
Ramey, Andrew M.; Reed, John A.; Walther, Patrick; Link, Paul; Schmutz, Joel A.; Douglas, David C.; Stallknecht, David E.; Soos, Catherine-
Date published: April 6, 2018How many birds have been banded since 1960?
Explore the total number of birds banded and band encountered by bird group since 1960 by bird banders.
Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center -
Date published: April 4, 2018Summaries of Banding and Encounter Data
Explore bird banders' data and learn how many birds have been banded and encountered since 1960.
Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center -
Date published: April 2, 2018BBL Longevity Records
Explore bird banders' data and learn how long birds may live.
Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center -
Date published: March 30, 2018Request data from the BBL
Banding and encounter data are available for research purposes. Individual banding data records exist electronically starting in 1960. Pre-1960 banding data are available only for birds that have been encountered. Individual encounter data are available from 1913.
Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center -
Date published: March 29, 2018Key Reference for BBL Codes
The BBL uses a variety of codes to facilitate the data management processes involving the submission of banding records by banders, the submission of reports of banded birds by the public (encounters), and in our publicly available bird banding and encounter datasets.
Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center -
Date published: March 27, 2018Memos to All Banders (MTABs) since 1922
Explore the historical banding notes and memos to all banders (MTABs) since 1922. Learn how the capture and bird banding techniques have evolved and how they have played a critical role to monitor the status and trends of resident and migratory bird populations.
Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
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Date published: July 3, 2018Bandit Software
Bandit is the latest in a series of desktop applications aimed at helping bird banders manage and submit their data for banded birds. We have tried to make the process of maintaining banding records as simple as possible. Bandit was created by the Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD.
Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Bandit Download
This screencast is a tutorial on how to find Bandit for download as well as finding Bandit resources via the BBL's webpages.
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Date published: November 30, 2018The Bird Banding Lab wraps up banding for fall migration
Highlight of birds banded at the BBL during fall 2018 migration.
Attribution: Status and Trends Program, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center -
Date published: November 15, 2018Employee Spotlight: Jennifer Malpass, Ph.D., AWB, DCA
Jenn Malpass, Biologist at the Bird Banding Lab Travels the Eastern US to Present Updates to Partners.
Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center -
Date published: October 25, 2018STEP-UP Students digitize BBL’s banding records at the USGS
The BBL welcomes a new group of students with differing abilities to start employment training as part of the STEP-UP program.
Attribution: Status and Trends Program, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center -
Date published: September 26, 2018Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation students visit the BBL’s bird banding station
Undergraduate students with Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation take a field trip the BBL’s fall migration monitoring station, to learn about bird banding in the field first hand.
Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center -
Date published: September 24, 2018BBL- University of Baltimore collaboration: Reportband.gov survey results
Over 5,000 people provided feedback about Reportband.gov as part of an online survey conducted by the University of Baltimore.
Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center -
Date published: September 19, 2018BBL Employee Spotlight: Craig “Tut” Tuthill
The BBL’s supply technician is recognized for 30 years of federal service
Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center -
Date published: August 31, 2018BBL Employee Spotlight: Chelsea Steinbrecher-Hoffmann
A brief biography on the newest member of the BBL team.
Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center -
Date published: August 23, 2018BBL collaborates with University of Baltimore
The BBL is collaborating with graduate students at the University of Baltimore to revise Reportband.gov and BANDIT software.
Partners
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I recovered a bird band with illegible numbers. How can I get the band etched so I can read and report the numbers?
Most bird bands are made of an aluminum alloy and have unique numbers engraved. These numbers can wear off with time to the point that one or more numbers become illegible. The time that it takes for a bird band number to wear off depends on the habits of that bird species and the amount of time that it spends in the water. For instance, a band on... -
What functions are available in the Bander Portal for bird banders?
Use the Bander Portal to: View and update your contact information, List subpermittees, band inventory, and locations associated with your permit, Order bands and confirm bands as received, Request transferral of bands TO your permit or FROM your permit to another permit, Define which menu options subpermitees have permission to access, View... -
How can I get bird banding and encounter data from the Bird Banding Laboratory?
Banding and encounter data are available for research purposes. Individual banding data records exist electronically starting in 1960. Pre-1960 banding data are available only for birds that have been encountered. Individual encounter data are available from 1913. To make a data request go to the Banding and Encounter Data page . -
How do I submit bird banding and/or bird recapture data?
Bird banding and band recapture data from banding activities must be submitted to the Bird Banding Laboratory using Bandit, The Information Manager for Banding Operations . Bandit is desktop software (not a website) that must be downloaded to your computer. The software is available for both PCs and Macs. -
How do I renew or modify my existing federal bird banding permit?
To renew or make changes to existing bird banding permits, use the links below: ● Request a sub-permit ● Change in the responsible individual for a Master Station Banding Permit ● Permit inactivation ● Permit reactivation ● Renew your permit ● Request color and auxiliary marking permission Additional information is on the General Permit... -
How do I obtain a federal bird banding permit?
A Federal Bird Banding and Marking Permit is required whenever someone wants to place a bird band or any type of marker on a wild bird that is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act or on a federally-protected bird that will be released into the wild. To obtain a permit, visit the General Permit Information webpage of the Bird Banding... -
What are the ethics and responsibilities of Bird Banders?
Bird banding has long been recognized as an important research tool that has substantially improved our understanding of many aspects of avian biology and provided critical information for the management and conservation of bird populations. It is normally safe when proper techniques and equipment are carefully employed by trained banders who... -
Does banding hurt birds?
No, banding does not hurt birds. When proper techniques and equipment are carefully employed, it’s a safe procedure for birds. Trained banders, who apply their expertise and thoughtfulness towards the health and well-being of the birds, follow strict procedures based on the Bander’s ethic code . -
How do I get a certificate of appreciation after reporting a banded bird?
Certificates of appreciation are given to people who have found birds with leg bands or color markers and reported them to the Bird Banding Laboratory through www.reportband.gov . Certificates are automatically generated when you report a bird and can be downloaded immediately after your report is completed. If you want an additional copy of your... -
I found (or killed) a bird with a band or color marker around its leg. What do I do?
Bird band information is an important tool that 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. The North American Bird Banding Program is jointly administered by the U.S...