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In the U.S., authorization to capture and mark waterfowl is generally granted only to state or federal conservation agency employees or their assistants. Certain exceptions, such as graduate students or university faculty engaged in waterfowl research, can be made. Permits issued to other persons are worded to exclude authorization to capture or mark waterfowl.
The special waterfowl authorization is intended to prevent banders from trapping specifically for waterfowl, or pursuing and harassing nesting waterfowl or broods. It should not be interpreted so stringently as to prevent the banding of waterfowl captured incidentally to other banding operations.
Authorization to capture and mark eagles is granted only to persons engaged in research dealing with these species. Each person requesting authorization to capture and mark eagles will be requested to provide a detailed outline of the research project, including sponsoring organization, need, objective, procedures, and cooperators.
The Bird Banding Laboratory provides the appropriate regional director with copies of pertinent correspondence, and will invite the director's comments prior to granting authorization to capture and mark eagles.
Banding permits ordinarily exclude authorization to trap or band eagles in order to discourage banding of nestlings or harassment of flying birds. This exclusion should not be interpreted so stringently as to preclude the banding of eagles captured incidentally to other banding, or, upon release, eagles that are otherwise legally held.
Authorization to capture, band and mark Hummingbirds requires special authorization from the Bird Banding Laboratory. Hummingbird bands must be finished by the bander. The band manufacture, handling, and banding of hummingbirds requires different skills than banding other species. Hummingbird bands are only issued to permits with hummingbird authorizations; there is no incidental banding of hummingbirds.
Authorization to capture or mark species designated as endangered by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior will be granted only to persons engaged in research dealing with those species. Endangered species captured incidentally to other banding or those otherwise legally held may be banded upon release to the wild. If you band in a place where you have caught endangered species you should obtain an endangered species permit.
Persons who need authorization to capture or mark endangered species should request an application form from the appropriate U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office (leaving this site).
If the applicant's research project is valid and feasible, and the comments received are generally favorable, a permit will be issued to mark specific endangered species. The appropriate district offices, the Office of Endangered Species, and the Bird Banding Laboratory will receive copies of such permits.
In addition to this permit, banders must apply to the Bird Banding Laboratory for a modification of the Bird Marking and Salvage Permit to include the endangered species in question.
