Wing Island Bird Banding Station
is supported by the
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
www.ccmnh.or

What Is Bird Banding?

Bird Banding is the process by which birds are caught and then "banded" -- braceleted by a small metal ring on their leg that has an identifying serial number unique in the world. By birds' bands, age, range, and other habits are discovered, allowing scientists to better understand the paths and environments used by birds.
Not just everyone can be a bird bander. Banders learn from a "master bander," and once they have proven their skill, they are able to apply for a permit from the government to band on their own. Banders must have a reason to band -- at Wing Island, there are a few research projects that are ongoing.

The banding itself is only a small portion of the process. 

Below is a brief sketch of what happens on a banding day at Wing Island.

Birds are captured by flying into mist nets that are made out of a soft, almost invisible black mesh. The nets are 6 or 12 meters long and are strung between two poles.		An experienced person must take the bird out of the net.

Once removed from the net, the birds are put into a cloth bag for transport back to the banding lab.

The bird's plumage is then examined for wear, coloration, and molt limits.

The bird is also examined for ticks. An optical visor is used to magnify the bird's body so the ticks are visible.

The ticks are taken off the bird using very fine tweezers or a special tick remover. After removal, the tick is placed in a vial and sent to a laboratory for DNA analysis. The species of tick is identified and then it is examined for any existing bacterium or viruses.