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Bird banding is one of the oldest and most important techniques used for studying and identifying individual birds.
Today in the U.S., bird banding is regulated and supervised by the federal government. Every band placed on a wild bird in the United States must be issued by the Bird Banding Laboratory, ensuring that each bird receives a unique identifier that can be recognized by researchers worldwide.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and
Conservation Biology Institute
scroll
"What is Bird Banding"
Rhode Island PBS"
Before a bird
can be banded,
it must be caught.
Mist Nest
hover to interact
For smaller birds, researchers use mist nest—tall, long nets made of very fine threads that blend into the surroundings.
Eastern
Meadowlark
Meadowlark
Indigo
Bunting
Bunting
Veery
"What is Bird Banding"
Rhode Island PBS"
After capture the bird, scientists then put a uniquely numbered aluminum band, and sometimes also colored plastic bands, on the bird's legs.
Finally, the bird is released.