Migratory Birds

The conservation and management of migratory bird populations has been the focus of Patuxent research and monitoring activities for decades. Patuxent scientists remain at the forefront of research activities exploring a wide variety of issues relevant to migratory bird conservation and developing new statistical approaches that expand the insights possible from ecological studies conducted by scientists from around the world. In addition to its research accomplishments, Patuxent hosts operational programs such as the US Bird Banding Laboratory and North American Breeding Bird Survey. Both programs maintain important data resources that are widely used to document the status, trends, seasonal movements, and other aspects of avian ecology and are essential for managing migratory bird populations.