Federal Permit

A United States Federal Bird Banding and Marking Permit is required by the Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) for all US-based research that involves banding or marking wild birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The BBL collaborates with the Canadian Wildlife Service Bird Banding Office (BBO) to administer the North American Bird Banding Program. US banders who would like to apply for a...

The Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) normally provides a statewide banding authorization for the master bander’s state or territory of residence. In some situations, however, the geographic extent of these authorizations may be restricted depending on the size of the state/territory, the proposed banding activities, and other factors.

A Federal Bird Banding and Marking Permit is required by the Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) whenever someone wants to place a bird band or any type of marker on a wild bird protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act or on a Federally-protected bird that will be released into the wild.

Instructions in how to fill out the master banding permit

Master banders can request the reactivation of an inactive banding permit at any time.

Master banding permits are normally renewed for a 3-year period although shorter renewal cycles may be required at the discretion of the BBL. Sixty days before the banding permit will expire, the BBL will automatically send via email a renewal notification to the master bander. If the banding permit is not renewed, then another renewal notification will be sent by email 30 days before the permit...

Bird banding has long been recognized as an important research tool that has substantially improved our understanding of many aspects of avian biology and provides critical information for the management and conservation of bird populations. It is normally safe when proper techniques and equipment are carefully employed by trained banders who apply their expertise and thoughtfulness towards the...

Bird banding data are useful in both scientific research and management and conservation projects. Individual identification of birds makes possible studies of dispersal and migration, behavior and social structure, life-span and survival rate, reproductive success and population growth.

Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) permits may be inactivated under a variety of circumstances. If a bander shows no activity under their permit for a period of three years, their permit may be inactivated for an indefinite period until they need to band birds.

Requests for sub-permitees need to be made by the master Bander.

Swab sampling is a standard method in avian disease surveillance. Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs are minimally invasive. Tracheal swabs, especially for smaller birds (passerines) are more invasive and may more often be performed on dead birds.

The Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) can provide authorization to sample feathers collected from migratory birds captured for the purpose of banding and/or marking. If migratory birds are captured for the sole purpose of obtaining feather samples, then a Migratory Bird Collecting Permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will be required.