The Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) will authorize the use auxiliary markers for projects that are well defined, set to be conducted, and have a start date within one year of the date the proposal is submitted. Note that a bander must have experience (or completed sufficient training) with the proposed auxiliary marking technique before the authorization will be granted.
Please make a separate request for each marker type and species, unless you have a small group of species using the exact same marker type. The BBL will not authorize the use of auxiliary markers on entire species groups such as passerines, raptors, waterfowl, etc. There may be additional time required for follow up details requested or to coordinate with other banders marking the same species. To learn more about marker types visit the Auxiliary Marker Codes page
Proposals for new or emerging technologies should include a detailed description of the technology and its use. If approved, the authorization will be considered experimental with the number of individuals permitted to be marked limited and require a follow up report covering the results.
All auxiliary marking requests should include:
- Master bander’s name, permit number, and any subpermits that require this authorization
- List of species to be marked
- Location of project (counties and state)
- Date project will begin and duration
- A project proposal with an overall project description, background/literature review, and planned methods
- A resume of the bander's experience with using the proposed marker type and attachment technique. This resume should include the species and number of birds marked.
Additional information required for all auxiliary markers:
- List of color codes to be used
- If using a auxiliary marker, provide color of the code, the alpha-numeric code pattern, and the characters that will be used.
- Detailed description of the planned resighting protocol
- Additional information required for transmitters and other electronic devices
- Details of the electronic device including make and model
- Attachment technique and bander’s experience with using that technique
- Detailed description covering how bander will monitor and control for potential effects of the transmitter
- A statement of the body weight percentage for the device. Note: All bands, auxiliary markers and attachment materials should not exceed 2% body weight for leg attachments and should not exceed 3% body weight for all other attachment types.
- See table below for more information on transmitter types
| Transmitter Type |
Code |
Alternate Names | Additional Information Requested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radio Transmitter | 81* | Nanotag, Beeper Tag, VHF transmitter, UHF transmitter | Include frequency range and planned detection method. For Nanotag work, please include details on local tower at study sites |
| Datalogger | 90* | Geolocator, Archival GPS Tag, Accelerometer, Time/Depth Recorder | Include details on work done to establish species site fidelity related to the ability to recapture the birds and retrieve the data from the device |
| Satellite/Cell/GPS Transmitter | 80* | PTT, CTT, GSM transmitter, Argos transmitter | Include details on expected data transmission time frame |
| PIT Tag | 75* | RFID Tag | Include a detailed description for the attachment method |
*denotes the additional attachment method code
Please allow 2 months lead time to process your request.
This information can be emailed to bbl_permits@usgs.gov
The Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) will authorize the use auxiliary markers for projects that are well defined, set to be conducted, and have a start date within one year of the date the proposal is submitted. Note that a bander must have experience (or completed sufficient training) with the proposed auxiliary marking technique before the authorization will be granted.
Please make a separate request for each marker type and species, unless you have a small group of species using the exact same marker type. The BBL will not authorize the use of auxiliary markers on entire species groups such as passerines, raptors, waterfowl, etc. There may be additional time required for follow up details requested or to coordinate with other banders marking the same species. To learn more about marker types visit the Auxiliary Marker Codes page
Proposals for new or emerging technologies should include a detailed description of the technology and its use. If approved, the authorization will be considered experimental with the number of individuals permitted to be marked limited and require a follow up report covering the results.
All auxiliary marking requests should include:
- Master bander’s name, permit number, and any subpermits that require this authorization
- List of species to be marked
- Location of project (counties and state)
- Date project will begin and duration
- A project proposal with an overall project description, background/literature review, and planned methods
- A resume of the bander's experience with using the proposed marker type and attachment technique. This resume should include the species and number of birds marked.
Additional information required for all auxiliary markers:
- List of color codes to be used
- If using a auxiliary marker, provide color of the code, the alpha-numeric code pattern, and the characters that will be used.
- Detailed description of the planned resighting protocol
- Additional information required for transmitters and other electronic devices
- Details of the electronic device including make and model
- Attachment technique and bander’s experience with using that technique
- Detailed description covering how bander will monitor and control for potential effects of the transmitter
- A statement of the body weight percentage for the device. Note: All bands, auxiliary markers and attachment materials should not exceed 2% body weight for leg attachments and should not exceed 3% body weight for all other attachment types.
- See table below for more information on transmitter types
| Transmitter Type |
Code |
Alternate Names | Additional Information Requested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radio Transmitter | 81* | Nanotag, Beeper Tag, VHF transmitter, UHF transmitter | Include frequency range and planned detection method. For Nanotag work, please include details on local tower at study sites |
| Datalogger | 90* | Geolocator, Archival GPS Tag, Accelerometer, Time/Depth Recorder | Include details on work done to establish species site fidelity related to the ability to recapture the birds and retrieve the data from the device |
| Satellite/Cell/GPS Transmitter | 80* | PTT, CTT, GSM transmitter, Argos transmitter | Include details on expected data transmission time frame |
| PIT Tag | 75* | RFID Tag | Include a detailed description for the attachment method |
*denotes the additional attachment method code
Please allow 2 months lead time to process your request.
This information can be emailed to bbl_permits@usgs.gov