All about Birds
Bird Banding – History, Techniques, and Importance
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Used as an effective method toward bird conservation, and therefore carried out on millions of birds each year, bird banding, or bird ringing as it’s also known, is an important method used to collect bird data.
Bird banding involves attaching a small colored tag to the leg of a bird – each one has a unique code on it, which allows for tracking.
So, why does bird banding happen?
Bird bands happen for good reasons – so, read on to find out the ins-and-outs of what these are.
What is the Purpose of Bird Banding?
There’s a world out there, and when it comes to exploring it, well, birds seem to have this sussed.
Known for their migratory habits and impressive flying abilities, birds are fascinating creatures, but sadly they face threats.
Times are changing, and as a result, many species of birds are at risk, whether this is due to climate changes or habitat changes.
By banding birds, both scientists and experts can keep track of these wild birds, and in turn, gain a greater understanding of their needs.
Subsequently, this information leads to more focus on conversation efforts, with the bird’s health, safety, and overall well-being at the forefront.
How is the Band Attached?
Don’t worry. This process doesn’t harm the birds.
In fact, first, the government requires proof from scientists that this bird banding is actually needed.
Any volunteers hired for this bird banding program have to undergo training first, so they can learn how to handle the bird carefully.
Scientists do this as they want to help future birds; therefore, when it comes to bird banding, it’s in their best interests to carry out this process with care.
The Conservation Effects
Banding’s done for a reason and a good one at that.
Through this, scientists have discovered where certain bird species spend the winter, along with the specific routes they take to get there.
Not only is this information fascinating, but it also goes a long way in protecting birds – as learning about their habits increases our knowledge about them, which in turn allows scientists to develop ways to help then further.
Bird banding has even led to new nesting ground discoveries, which allow for an extra insight in the bird world.
This collected data also teaches us the shift patterns in bird ranges, survival rates in certain areas, population sizes, and it helps the experts track the bird’s behavior patterns.
All this information provides conservationists vital information needed to continue to work hard to protect these wild birds and their natural habitats.
The Kinds of Birds Banded
As well as endangered birds, species of birds found in certain areas are also banded – these could be changes in habitat, climate, and bird sightings.
Commonly banded birds include migratory songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds and birds of prey.
The best time to band a bird is during the fall migration, so you’ll often find bird banding stations about at this time.
Experts know that it’s best to set up a bird banding station in areas with large crowds of birds. Birds usually flock here as food and resting places are in vast supply.
Generally, with smaller birds, the catching process involves mist nets. At first, the bird’s caught safely. Then after being banded, they’re let back into the wild.
The volunteers carefully handle the birds, and as well as attaching the band, they check for injuries and note down factors such as their species, weight, wingspan, and their sex.
Some birds are trickier to catch, such as birds of prey. Sometimes these require careful removal from their nests. So the attaching band process can take place.
Bands don’t effort the bird in any way – in fact, they usually won’t even notice it’s there.
What Does It Mean When a Bird Has a Band?
If you see a banded wild bird, then this means it’s a part of the ongoing study to analyze bird data.
If you can get close enough to the bird without startling it, then jot down the code on its tag, or alternatively, take a picture of it.
This information is crucial in helping conservation work.
In the USA and Canada, bird bandings carried out on over 1.2 million birds.
Yet, only around 10% of these end up being recovered each year.
The Different Bands
With so many different species of birds out there, it stands to reason that bands used on them vary.
Some bands are brightly colored, so the number can be read from a distance, which in turn is less startling for the bird.
While other bands have detailed information on then, such as the wildlife organization details, most birds have bands on their leg, but this isn’t the best option for all birds.
You may have seen a swan or goose with an identification collar – with waterfowl, banding their neck means it can be visible when they’re in the water. At the same time, a leg band wouldn’t be practical to see.
Often with bigger birds such as raptors, attaching clips is the preferred method – these are easier to read without causing disturbance to the bird.
Rivet Bands
Primarily used on eagles, once attached, even the toughest of beaks won’t be able to peck these bands off.
Lock-End Bands
These are usually used on kestrels, and small hawks – the bands have two flanges that are affixed over each other, resulting in a tight band that’s peck proof.
Butt-End Bands
These are the most popularly used brands in North America, from songbirds to passerines. These come in different sizes to suit the bird and have blunt ends that clamp shut.
How Do I Report a Banded Bird?
If you’re in North America and you find a banded bird that you want to report, then you can do so on the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center website.
They are part of the United States Geological Survey and operate to analyze the data collected from bird banding.
Frequently Asked Questions
I get it. You want to know more.
So, scroll down to find the short and to-the-point answers to some must-know questions.
1. Why we band birds?
This is simple…
Conservation.
The more data and information collected about birds, the better.
Learning from the study of banded birds means good things for the future.
2. Is bird banding cruel?
Bird banding gathers crucial information and data – although, some protestors claim it to be cruel, the data retrieved from doing so goes a long way into essential conservation work.
Yes, the initial catching process may be traumatic for them. No birds like being caught in nets!
But it’s carried out by experts who love birds and want to help them – so, basically, it’s done for the greater good.
So, the bird banding program and methods behind it are necessary to conserve the wild bird population.
3. Why are pigeons ringed?
Pigeons are everywhere!
If you find one with a band on its leg (these are usually green or blue), then it’s a racing or fancy pigeon, and it has an owner.
Unless it’s injured, then leave it be as it’s probably just exhausting, so needs a day to rest.
Remember, it’s a homing pigeon, so it’s trained to find it’s way back.
4. What’s the yearly amount of banded ducks?
In North America, there are around 200,000 ducks banded each year.
Now, that’s a lot of ducks – quack!
And 1000 swans.
The banding usually happens in breeding areas.
Bird Banding: An Overview
Bird banding is a critical factor in preserving the well-being of North American birds.
Through the bird banding program, banding takes place on many species of wild birds – the data collected from this study is crucial to helping bird conservation.
Hopefully, bird banding will mean that these feathered-friends will continue to thrive for many years to come.
From ringed birds identification, banding stations, and the bird banding program, the North American bird experts are working hard to do their bit.
Whether this is individual birds to flocks – the world would be a dull place without these chirpy, feathered ones in it.
