More about Bird Banding

Bird banding is part of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network, which is part of Bird Studies Canada and is done on a mostly volunteer basis by private individuals. The government will supply the bird bands and then it's up to the individual bander to buy the rest of the equipment (nets etc).

Why is bird banding important? Well, we know that there has been a 40-60% decrease in migratory bird populations, with a continued downward trend. This is a result of habitat loss and this includes loss of habitat for breeding, nesting, wintering and rest stops. It's a far-reaching problem and one that needs to be addressed further. Birds are a very important part of the ecosystem and the food chain. Just imagine the number of insects we would be overrun with if there were no birds to eat them! The banding program gives us a glimpse into what is going on with the various populations. We learned there are 23 bird-banding stations and approximately 8 are year-round.

I asked the workshop leader, licensed bird bander Brian Pomfret, what the most common birds he bands in the area, and while it can vary year to year and from site to site, he said White-throated Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and American Goldfinch and/or Chickadee. Brian said he has caught all kinds of birds over the years- even large birds such as ducks, geese, owls, hawks. The method for banding those is a bit different and extra protection has to be taken when handing the birds of prey with their powerful talons.

Out at the banding table, Brian walked us through the process and joked that often it can be easier to identify a bird in the field rather than in the hand, because in the field you can observe the birds habitat, song and behaviour. When it's in the hand, you might have a harder time to id, especially when there are many female warblers who are very close in colour and markings. Once they determine what the bird is, they are able to band it.



The code is recorded, along with species, age determination, weight, sex, which can sometimes be difficult to tell. In the case of the Great Crested Flycatcher, both male and females look similar and incubate eggs and therefore both have a brood patch. The brood patch is developed by birds for sitting on the eggs and keeping them warm.



(A Baltimore Oriole gets his weigh-in)

Age is determined by looking at feather fro growth bars, as well as the overall condition of the feathers. The bander will also examine the primary covert feathers and check the head feathers as well. Measurements of the wing are taken, from the elbow to the tip of the longest feather. The bander measures the fat storage and muscle mass of the bird and rates these on a scale of 0-3, 3 being in excellent shape. The fat is stored under the throat, and there is visible yellow/orange tissue.


If you ever come across a dead bird with a band, it's important to report the band number and the location. Just google "report dead bird" and the information will come up.

Recommended reading if you are interested in learning all the details about birds is "Identification Guide to North American Birds" by Peter Pyle.

It was a very informative and entertaining session (Brian is hilarious) and I would recommend people attend it next year. I know we'll be back!