Two Black Brant in a wetland near the Colville River Delta.
Why do we study Pacific Black Brant geese?
Black Brant geese nest in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Europe, and Russia. Pacific Black Brant--found primarily in Alaska during summer--are a focal species of international attention because of their importance to subsistence and sport hunters and their wide geographic range. Since 1963, surveys have been conducted every fall at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Alaska to record the number of juvenile and adult Pacific Black Brant geese. This data is used to calculate and monitor the overall population of Pacific Black Brant.
Related
Does banding hurt birds?
No, banding does not hurt birds. When proper techniques and equipment are carefully employed, it’s a safe procedure for birds. Trained banders, who apply their expertise and thoughtfulness towards the health and well-being of the birds, follow strict procedures based on the Bander’s ethic code.
I found (or killed) a bird with a band or color marker around its leg. What do I do?
Bird band information is an important tool that is used to monitor populations, set hunting regulations, restore endangered species, study effects of environmental contaminants, and address such issues as Avian Influenza, bird hazards at airports, and crop depredations. The North American Bird Banding Program is jointly administered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Canadian Wildlife...
Who can band birds?
Because banding birds requires capturing the birds and handling them before the banding takes place, the banding of birds in the United States is controlled under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and requires a federal banding permit. Some states require a state permit as well. Only official federal bands can be legally placed on birds that are released to the wild within the United States. Banders...
Two Black Brant in a wetland near the Colville River Delta
Two Black Brant in a wetland near the Colville River Delta.
Black Brant flying near the Colville River, northern Alaska
Black Brant flying near the Colville River, northern Alaska.
Black Brant flying near the Colville River, northern Alaska.
Black Brant In Flight
Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.
Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.
Black Brant
Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.
Pacific Brant family in Alaska
Pacific brant family on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska.
Pacific brant family on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska.
Black Brant Flock, Ice Cape, Alaska
Black Brant Flock. Photo taken at Icy Cape study site. Icy Cape is part of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) on the Arctic Coastal Plain. This was one of many study site locations of waterbird-oriented ecosystem studies in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska from 1974-1992.
Black Brant Flock. Photo taken at Icy Cape study site. Icy Cape is part of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) on the Arctic Coastal Plain. This was one of many study site locations of waterbird-oriented ecosystem studies in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska from 1974-1992.
Related
Does banding hurt birds?
No, banding does not hurt birds. When proper techniques and equipment are carefully employed, it’s a safe procedure for birds. Trained banders, who apply their expertise and thoughtfulness towards the health and well-being of the birds, follow strict procedures based on the Bander’s ethic code.
I found (or killed) a bird with a band or color marker around its leg. What do I do?
Bird band information is an important tool that is used to monitor populations, set hunting regulations, restore endangered species, study effects of environmental contaminants, and address such issues as Avian Influenza, bird hazards at airports, and crop depredations. The North American Bird Banding Program is jointly administered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Canadian Wildlife...
Who can band birds?
Because banding birds requires capturing the birds and handling them before the banding takes place, the banding of birds in the United States is controlled under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and requires a federal banding permit. Some states require a state permit as well. Only official federal bands can be legally placed on birds that are released to the wild within the United States. Banders...
Two Black Brant in a wetland near the Colville River Delta
Two Black Brant in a wetland near the Colville River Delta.
Two Black Brant in a wetland near the Colville River Delta.
Black Brant flying near the Colville River, northern Alaska
Black Brant flying near the Colville River, northern Alaska.
Black Brant flying near the Colville River, northern Alaska.
Black Brant In Flight
Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.
Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.
Black Brant
Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.
Pacific Brant family in Alaska
Pacific brant family on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska.
Pacific brant family on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska.
Black Brant Flock, Ice Cape, Alaska
Black Brant Flock. Photo taken at Icy Cape study site. Icy Cape is part of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) on the Arctic Coastal Plain. This was one of many study site locations of waterbird-oriented ecosystem studies in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska from 1974-1992.
Black Brant Flock. Photo taken at Icy Cape study site. Icy Cape is part of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) on the Arctic Coastal Plain. This was one of many study site locations of waterbird-oriented ecosystem studies in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska from 1974-1992.
Updated Date: April 9, 2025