Bird Bands

August 12, 2021

Question: I found a bird band and I would like to report it. Whom do I contact?

Answer: Congratulations! First, you need to determine whether the band was issued by the United States Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Lab;(BBL). The BBL oversees all permits for banding species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the United States. Federal bands have a four-digit prefix, a hyphen and then a five-digit suffix, and display the website www.reportband.gov(opens in new tab), which is where you report your finding. Older bands displaying a phone number should be reported through the federal website as well. When you submit a report of your finding, the BBL will send you a certificate with information about where the bird was banded.

The BBL does not oversee the banding of native galliforms (quail, grouse and turkey), introduced galliforms (coturnix quail, ring-necked pheasant and chukar) or non-native dove (rock pigeon and Eurasian collared-dove). The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) may band these species when conducting specific research projects. A band purchased by the state will display the letters CDFW or DFG and can be reported to the department’s upland game bird biologist.

CDFW also administers scientific collecting permits for researchers. Researchers who work on migratory bird species need federal and state permits. Alternatively, some researchers may study galliforms or other birds not covered under the federal permit and banding program. If you find a band without state or federal identifiers, you can report it to CDFW.