Bird Banding Bird Banding in the Americasin the Americas

Lesley HowesLesley HowesCanadian Bird Banding Office Canadian Bird Banding Office

Canadian Wildlife ServiceCanadian Wildlife Service

Benefits of BandingBenefits of Banding

• Specialized, cost effective, Specialized, cost effective, scientific toolscientific tool

• Data vital for research, Data vital for research, monitoring and monitoring and conservation conservation

• Contributes to basic Contributes to basic scientific knowledgescientific knowledge

• Added value for secondary Added value for secondary researchresearch

• Educational valueEducational value

Banding ProjectsBanding Projects

In the pastIn the past• Mostly game birdsMostly game birds• Management objectivesManagement objectives• Small local projectsSmall local projects

More recentlyMore recently• Seabirds, shorebirds, Seabirds, shorebirds,

landbirdslandbirds• Conservation objectivesConservation objectives• Large-scaleLarge-scale• Cooperative projectsCooperative projects

What does bird banding What does bird banding entail?entail?

• Planned studyPlanned study• Bird captureBird capture• Bird handlingBird handling• IdentificationIdentification• Bands and markersBands and markers• MeasurementsMeasurements• ReleaseRelease• Data reportingData reporting• AnalysisAnalysis• PublicationPublication

How is banding information How is banding information used?used?

• Individual research: Individual research: behavioural, parasites, behavioural, parasites, energetics, toxicology, energetics, toxicology, genetic, etc. genetic, etc.

• Game bird monitoringGame bird monitoring• Migration monitoringMigration monitoring• Population Monitoring Population Monitoring • Monitoring individuals Monitoring individuals

(endangered species)(endangered species)• Public educationPublic education

The North American The North American Bird Banding ProgramBird Banding Program

Bird Banding Bird Banding Laboratory Laboratory

United States United States Geological Service Geological Service

Laurel, Maryland, Laurel, Maryland, USAUSA

Bird Banding Office Bird Banding Office

Canadian Wildlife Canadian Wildlife ServiceService

Environment CanadaEnvironment Canada

Ottawa, Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaCanada

Joint program since 1923Joint program since 1923Since 1923Since 1923• Over 60,000,000 birds bandedOver 60,000,000 birds banded• Over 3.7 million encountersOver 3.7 million encounters• Over 900 species and subspeciesOver 900 species and subspecies• Over 15.2% of waterfowl encounteredOver 15.2% of waterfowl encountered• Over 2.2% of non-game birds encounteredOver 2.2% of non-game birds encountered

In 2003In 2003• 1,121,358 birds banded1,121,358 birds banded• 87,395 birds encountered87,395 birds encountered

Program ObjectivesProgram Objectives

• Support ornithological and conservation Support ornithological and conservation researchresearch

• Provide service to bandersProvide service to banders

• Increase bander standardsIncrease bander standards

• Facilitate communication among bandersFacilitate communication among banders

• Improve data quality and managementImprove data quality and management

• Promote international cooperation and Promote international cooperation and partnershipspartnerships

PartnersPartners

• Bird Studies CanadaBird Studies Canada

• North American North American Banding CouncilBanding Council

• Cornell UniversityCornell University

• Provincial, territorial Provincial, territorial and state governmentsand state governments

• Banding AssociationsBanding Associations

• Bird ObservatoriesBird Observatories

• BandersBanders

• Coordinate projects Coordinate projects such as MAPS, CMMN,such as MAPS, CMMN,

• Advocate for bandersAdvocate for banders• Increase standards of Increase standards of

data collection and data collection and banding qualificationbanding qualification

• Develop conservation Develop conservation plansplans

• Publish scientific and Publish scientific and technical paperstechnical papers

RolesRoles

North American BandersNorth American Banders

5%

25%11%

32%

27%

Government

NGOs

Universities

Avocational

Business

Role of BandersRole of Banders

• Conduct ornithological studiesConduct ornithological studies• Monitor populationsMonitor populations• Keep current on new techniquesKeep current on new techniques• Submit data to the banding office Submit data to the banding office • Report band sightings and recoveriesReport band sightings and recoveries• Train other banders in ethical capture, Train other banders in ethical capture,

banding and handling skillsbanding and handling skills• Educate people about birds and the Educate people about birds and the

environmentenvironment• Practice ethical bandingPractice ethical banding• Ensure necessary permitsEnsure necessary permits

Ethics of bandingEthics of banding

• Banders’ Code of EthicsBanders’ Code of Ethics

• Bird welfareBird welfare

• Trained in capture, handling Trained in capture, handling and bandingand banding

• Publish innovations in Publish innovations in banding, capture and banding, capture and handling techniques handling techniques

• Integrity of data and research Integrity of data and research

Role of the Banding Office Role of the Banding Office

• Administer the program Administer the program – Provide permits and bandsProvide permits and bands– Coordinate auxiliary markersCoordinate auxiliary markers– Provide a central repository for dataProvide a central repository for data

• Develop policyDevelop policy

• Provide technical adviceProvide technical advice

• Coordinate special projects Coordinate special projects

• Promote ethical bandingPromote ethical banding

Scientific permit to capture Scientific permit to capture and band migratory birdsand band migratory birds

• Permits Permits – MasterMaster– StationStation– SubpermitSubpermit

• IssuanceIssuance– Application formApplication form– Prove of Prove of

qualification and qualification and competence competence

– Two testimonialsTwo testimonials– Project descriptionProject description

• AuthorizationsAuthorizations– Species groupsSpecies groups– Mist netMist net– Species at riskSpecies at risk– Cannon or rocket netsCannon or rocket nets– Capture using drugsCapture using drugs– Colour markingColour marking– Auxiliary markersAuxiliary markers– Radio or satellite Radio or satellite

transmitterstransmitters– LocationLocation

Canadian Banding PermitCanadian Banding Permit

Alberta, Manitoba, Nunavut, SaskatchewanAlberta, Manitoba, Nunavut, Saskatchewan 1058810588

DIDIUK ANDREW GDIDIUK ANDREW GPRAIRIE & NORTHERN REGIONPRAIRIE & NORTHERN REGION 4 and 194 and 19CANADIAN WILDLIFE SERVICECANADIAN WILDLIFE SERVICE115 PERIMETER ROAD115 PERIMETER ROADSASKATOON, SK S7N 0X4SASKATOON, SK S7N 0X4 2003/05/212003/05/21

2004/12/312004/12/31L. LAURINL. LAURIN

Authorized to:Authorized to:-- Band passerinesBand passerines-- Band raptors (IF IN POSSESSION OF A CURRENT & VALID PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL Band raptors (IF IN POSSESSION OF A CURRENT & VALID PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL PERMIT).PERMIT).-- Band Sara listed species Loggerhead Shrike (LOSH) (6220)Band Sara listed species Loggerhead Shrike (LOSH) (6220)-- Band waterfowlBand waterfowl-- Use mistnetsUse mistnets

-- Mark Loggerhead Shrike (LOSH) (6220) with Colored Leg BandsMark Loggerhead Shrike (LOSH) (6220) with Colored Leg BandsDK BLU WHI DK BLU/ORN in Manitoba, SaskatchewanDK BLU WHI DK BLU/ORN in Manitoba, Saskatchewan

Permitted bandersPermitted banders

Master Sub-permit Total

USA 2,000 3,300 5,300

Canada 300 650 950

Total 2,300 3,950 6,250

BandsBands

• Federal bands for use on North American Federal bands for use on North American migrantsmigrants

• 26 band sizes 26 band sizes

• Butt ends 0-9CButt ends 0-9C

• Lock on bands sizes 4-9 (raptors)Lock on bands sizes 4-9 (raptors)

• Size 9 rivet bands (eagles)Size 9 rivet bands (eagles)

• Specialty bandsSpecialty bands

Band Size Internal Diameter (in mm)

Height of band(in mm)

Band type

Hummingbird (X) 1.27 - 1.52 1.6 Butt-end (BE)

0A 2.0 5.5 BE

0 2.11 5.5 BE

1 2.38 5.5 BE

1B 2.6 5.5 BE

1P (snowy plover only) 2.85 5.5 BE

1A 3.1 5.5 BE

2 3.8 7.0 BE

3 4.8 7.0 BE

3B 5.2 7.0 BE

3A 5.6 7.0 BE

4 6.5 10.0 BE or lock-on (LO)

4 short (for NSWO only) 6.5 7.0 BE

4A 7.2 10.0 BE

5 8.0 10.0 BE or LO

6 9.5 10.0 BE or LO

7A 11.3 14.0 BE or LO

7A short 11.3 10.0 BE

7B 13.7 14.0 BE or LO

7B short 13.7 10.0 BE

7D 15.0 17.0 LO

8 17.5 17.0 BE or LO

8A 20.0 17.0 BE

9 22.0 17.0 BE or LO or rivet (RV)

9C (for TRUS only) Flat Flat Stainless steel lock-on

9C 29.0 32.0 BE

Auxiliary MarkersAuxiliary Markers

• LocLoc

• Banding dateBanding date

• RemarksRemarks

Data CollectionData Collection

• Permit numberPermit number• Band numberBand number• Banding locationBanding location• Alpha code Alpha code • Species numberSpecies number• StatusStatus• Age-sexAge-sex• RegionRegion• Lat-LongLat-Long

Data ArchivingData Archiving

• Accurate and complete banding records Accurate and complete banding records

• Prompt submission of Banding SchedulePrompt submission of Banding Schedule

• Band ManagerBand Manager

• Game bird data must be submitted before Game bird data must be submitted before the hunting season.the hunting season.

• Data editingData editing

Reporting EncountersReporting Encounters

• Privately banded birds (falconry, Privately banded birds (falconry, pigeons)pigeons)

• Foreign encounterForeign encounter• Moved outside the 10-min blockMoved outside the 10-min block• Dead banded birdDead banded bird• Colour or auxiliary marked birdsColour or auxiliary marked birds

• 1-800-327-BAND (2263)1-800-327-BAND (2263)• Write Bird Band Laurel MD 20708 USAWrite Bird Band Laurel MD 20708 USA• Certificate of Appreciation to finderCertificate of Appreciation to finder• Report to bander Foreign birdsReport to bander Foreign birds

Data RequestsData Requests

• Free for public useFree for public use

• Facilitating Migratory bird researchFacilitating Migratory bird research

• Two filesTwo files– Banding Retrieval FileBanding Retrieval File– Encounter Retrieval FileEncounter Retrieval File

• Data use policyData use policy

• Data verificationData verification

Role of the Banding OfficeRole of the Banding Office

• Develop policyDevelop policy– Banding species at riskBanding species at risk– Feather collection policyFeather collection policy

• Provide technical adviceProvide technical advice

• Coordinate special projectsCoordinate special projects– Ready network of trained field workersReady network of trained field workers– Large-scale or various locationsLarge-scale or various locations– Genetic, parasitological, morphometric, Isotope, Genetic, parasitological, morphometric, Isotope, – systematics etc.systematics etc.

Increasing Banders StandardsIncreasing Banders Standards

• Endorsing Ornithological Council’s Endorsing Ornithological Council’s Guidelines Guidelines to the use of Wild Birds in Researchto the use of Wild Birds in Research..

• Endorsing the Peter Pyle Endorsing the Peter Pyle Identification Guide Identification Guide to North American Birds.to North American Birds.

• NABC training manualsNABC training manuals

• Promoting NABC standardized bander trainingPromoting NABC standardized bander training

• Encouraging banders to participate in large Encouraging banders to participate in large scale, long-term monitoring studiesscale, long-term monitoring studies

• Bander developmentBander development

Bander DevelopmentBander Development

• Banders’ Code of EthicsBanders’ Code of Ethics• Bander training workshopsBander training workshops• Memo to Banders Memo to Banders • WebsiteWebsite• Encouraging banders to join Encouraging banders to join

banding associationsbanding associations• Encourage participation in well Encourage participation in well

designed projectsdesigned projects

The North American The North American Banding CouncilBanding Council

A non-profit organization with representatives A non-profit organization with representatives from professional ornithological societies from professional ornithological societies

The purpose of NABC is to promote sound and The purpose of NABC is to promote sound and ethical banding principles and techniques by: ethical banding principles and techniques by:

• Developing a bander training and certification Developing a bander training and certification programprogram

• Set standards of knowledge, experience and skills.Set standards of knowledge, experience and skills.• Three levels of certification assistant, bander and Three levels of certification assistant, bander and

trainertrainer• Five banding guides in three languagesFive banding guides in three languages

Long Term Cooperative Long Term Cooperative InitiativesInitiatives

• Canadian Migration Canadian Migration Monitoring NetworkMonitoring Network

• Monitoring Avian Monitoring Avian Productivity and Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) Survivorship (MAPS) programprogram

• North American Waterfowl North American Waterfowl Management Plan Management Plan

• Wetlands for the Americas Wetlands for the Americas ProgramProgram

Canadian Migration Canadian Migration Monitoring NetworkMonitoring Network

• Species, band Species, band number, age-number, age-sex, condition, sex, condition, effort effort expended (e.g. expended (e.g. net hours)net hours)

• Monitor population trends of migrantsMonitor population trends of migrants

• Standardized effortStandardized effort

MAPSMAPS

• Constant effort mist Constant effort mist netting and bandingnetting and banding

• Continent wide networkContinent wide network• Identify the causes of Identify the causes of

population declinespopulation declines• Formulate management Formulate management

actions and actions and conservation strategies conservation strategies to reverse to reverse declines, and maintain healthy populations declines, and maintain healthy populations

• Evaluate the effectiveness of management actions Evaluate the effectiveness of management actions and conservation strategies.and conservation strategies.

Promoting international Promoting international cooperation and partnershipcooperation and partnership• Coordinate all colour marking Coordinate all colour marking

schemesschemes

• Increase recoveries on wintering Increase recoveries on wintering groundsgrounds

• To better understand migration To better understand migration routes of many N.A. migrantroutes of many N.A. migrant

• Encourage the development of Encourage the development of banding schemes with other Western banding schemes with other Western Hemisphere countries Hemisphere countries

• Liaison with other countries though Liaison with other countries though out the world on band encounters out the world on band encounters and recoveries and recoveries

• Participate in global projects, e.g. Barn Swallow

MoMonitoreo de nitoreo de SSobrevivencia obrevivencia IInvernal (MoSI)nvernal (MoSI)

• Cooperative international effortCooperative international effort

• Evaluate the quality of winter Evaluate the quality of winter habitats for migratory landbirdshabitats for migratory landbirds

• Currently in Mexico and BelizeCurrently in Mexico and Belize

Pan American Shorebird Pan American Shorebird ProgramProgram• Standardized banding Standardized banding

systemsystem

• Coordinated within Coordinated within country and country and internationallyinternationally

• Marked with colour bands Marked with colour bands and/or colour 'flags‘and/or colour 'flags‘

• Connects banders with Connects banders with sightingssightings

Country Flag Colour Flag

Canada white

United States green

Chile red

Venezuela black

Suriname light green

Peru yellow

Brazil dark blue

Argentina orange

How to read banded How to read banded shorebirdsshorebirds

• Describe each bandDescribe each band

• Note location of each bandNote location of each band

• Note species, location of Note species, location of sighting, date and any sighting, date and any other information.other information.

Piping Plover seen in Texas, banded SK. Piping Plover seen in Texas, banded SK.

Nothing upper left, grey over light green band lower left, white flag Nothing upper left, grey over light green band lower left, white flag upper right, light green over metal lower right.upper right, light green over metal lower right.

If you colour band shorebirdsIf you colour band shorebirds

• Let PASP know about your Let PASP know about your project and how to contact project and how to contact youyou

• Use your country flag Use your country flag colourscolours

• Use UV-stable colour bands Use UV-stable colour bands and flags and preferably and flags and preferably monel or stainless-steel monel or stainless-steel metal bandsmetal bands

•If you are using aluminum bands, place them on If you are using aluminum bands, place them on the bird'sthe bird's

upper leg.upper leg.

Reporting colour banded Reporting colour banded ShorebirdsShorebirds

• E-mail E-mail cheri.gratto-trevor@ec.gc.cacheri.gratto-trevor@ec.gc.ca

• Or mail to:Or mail to:Dr. C.L. Gratto-TrevorDr. C.L. Gratto-TrevorPASP, Canadian Wildlife Service,PASP, Canadian Wildlife Service,115 Perimeter Road,115 Perimeter Road,Saskatoon, SKSaskatoon, SKS7N 0X4S7N 0X4CanadaCanada

CostsCosts

• Biological CostsBiological Costs

• Research CostsResearch Costs

• Program costsProgram costs

Current ChallengesCurrent Challenges• Improve bander skills and data qualityImprove bander skills and data quality• Improve research quality i.e. Improve research quality i.e. study design, data analysis • Improve data accessibility i.e. world wide webImprove data accessibility i.e. world wide web• Develop a data management system that includes Develop a data management system that includes

recapture and resighting datarecapture and resighting data• Develop auxiliary marker coordination guidelines• Extend existing programs such as MAPS, CMMN• Develop banding protocols for species at risk• Develop species level monitoring, e.g. Purple Martins,

Barn Swallows, • Develop group level monitoring, e.g. hummingbirds,

colonial waterbirds• Develop broad scale monitoring, e.g. winterbirds• Expand international partnerships

Bird Banding in the Bird Banding in the AmericasAmericas

• IndependentIndependent

• South American South American systemsystem

• Fully integrated Fully integrated Western HemisphereWestern Hemisphere

Necessary elementsNecessary elements

• Definition of needsDefinition of needs• Stable, secure central Stable, secure central

repository for data repository for data • PermitsPermits• Well trained banders Well trained banders • BandsBands

– MigrantsMigrants– Non-migrantsNon-migrants

• Science basedScience based• Data integrity and Data integrity and

accessibility accessibility • Standard coding Standard coding

system system

• Simplified reporting Simplified reporting systemsystem

• Coordinated auxiliary Coordinated auxiliary marker usemarker use

• Open communicationOpen communication• Levels of Levels of

participationparticipation• Reduce duplicationReduce duplication• Cost effectiveCost effective• Data sharingData sharing• In country reportingIn country reporting

We have a collective opportunity and responsibility to increase the

effectiveness of banding in bird conservation.

Bird Banding Bird Banding in the Americasin the Americas