USGS

The North American Bird Banding Program’s Bird Banding Laboratory, part of the U. S. Geological Survey’s Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge, provides a service for reporting encounters with federally banded birds and birds carrying color markers.

Its online reporting process guides finders, bird banders, assistants, and public officials through submitting details about a bird, its band or marker, and the encounter. Reports can cover federal metal bands, color markers such as collars, wing tags, or colored leg bands, or both on the same bird. The form collects information including band numbers, species or general bird type, how the bird was encountered, its condition, and the date and location.

Users can also report when a band number is unknown or difficult to read. The service offers English, French, and Spanish options, examples of bands and markers, and access to a Certificate of Appreciation for previously submitted reports. Authorized under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the voluntary reporting process is estimated to take about two minutes