Bird-Banding: An Important Conservation Tool

While out birding or observing birds in your own yard, have you ever noticed a bird with a band on it's leg? Wondered how it got there? When or where it was placed on or what purpose it served? Today I want to talk a little about the practice of bird-banding, why it is important and what it contributes to worldwide research and conservation.

Bird-banding is the process of attaching a small band or tag to a bird that has a unique serial number. Originally used to identify owned birds, now millions of birds are banded annually, worldwide. 

Banded male Red-Winged Blackbird 

A large variety of bird species are banded, including songbirds, shorebirds, birds of prey and endangered species. Birds may become banded a number of ways, most commonly from being caught in a mist net. During migration, mist nets are set in known hotspots for bird activity. Birds fly into mist nets and get caught. Mist nets are closely monitored and trained individuals handle and extract them carefully to avoid stress and injury. Bands are then fastened to the leg and the number recorded. Birds may also become banded by being admitted into a wildlife rehabilitation centre. Birds of prey specifically, are sometimes temporarily captured from their nest, banded and put back. 

Yellow Warbler with visible band

But, why?

There is so much valuable information to be collected and learned from when it comes to bird banding. From the data collected by bird-banding stations we are able to: 

1) Track Migration: If a particular bird is caught at a number of banding stations along its migratory route, we can have a far better picture of the route taken and if that is specific to certain species. By knowing migration routes we can better identify critical habitat along the way. 

2) Life-Span: Based on the age of birds when they were first captured, as they may continue to be captured and tracked, we can develop a better sense of the longevity of different species. 

3) Range: If a particular bird or species is captured in two separate areas, it gives a better idea of their range. More importantly, it helps us realize if their ranges are shifting over time, potentially due to climate change, habitat quantity or quality. By knowing this information we can seek to protect important wintering or breeding habitats. 

It is incredible to think that those tiny little bands can provide us with so much critical information about bird longevity, migration, range and the crucial habitats we must conserve to support them. 

If you would like to become involved in bird-banding, most observatories and known hotspots such as the Pelee Island Bird Observatory regularly accept volunteer applications that you can find here. 

If this is not something that you have previously noticed, keep an eye out for bands on birds in your area or moving through and just think of how much that little band is doing for the understanding and well-being of birds. 

Warmly, 

Heather