Code |
Code description
(see handbook for full description & use suggestions) |
OB Category - Observed: not breeding evidence
|
X |
Species (male or female) observed during its breeding season. Colonial birds, birds flying overhead, seen in unlikely breeding habitat, or outside of safe dates. |
PO Category - possible breeding evidence
|
O |
Species (male or female) observed in suitable nesting habitat during its safe dates. |
S |
Singing male present in suitable nesting habitat during its safe dates. |
P |
Pair (sexes not distinguished) observed in suitable nesting habitat during its safe dates. |
PR Category - probable breeding evidence
|
P* |
Dimorphic pair observed in suitable habitat during its safe dates. |
T |
Permanent territory presumed through either defense (e.g. chasing of other birds) or song at same location on at least 2 occasions 7 days or more apart within safe dates. |
C |
Courtship behavior or copulation. Not used for waterfowl. |
N |
Visiting probable nest site. |
A |
Agitated behavior or anxiety calls from adult. |
B |
Nest building by wrens or excavation of holes by woodpeckers. |
D |
Distraction display or injury feigning. Less than a strong display. |
CO Category - confirmed evidence of breeding
|
DD |
Distraction display. Appearance of being life threatening. |
NB |
Nest building by any species except wrens and woodpeckers. |
PE |
Physiological evidence of breeding, e.g. highly vascularized, edematous brood patch or egg in oviduct based on bird in hand. (For banders.) |
UN |
Used nests or egg shells found. Must be carefully identified, if they are to be accepted. |
FL |
Recently fledged young (of altricial species) incapable of sustained flight or downy young (of precocial species) restricted to the natal area by dependance on adults or limited mobility. |
ON |
Adults entering or leaving a nest site in circumstances indicating occupied nest. To be used for nests which are too high (e.g. the tops of trees) or enclosed (e.g. chimneys) for the contents to be seen. Also sitting birds that may be brooding young rather than incubating. |
AY |
Attending young: adult carrying fecal sac or food for young; not used for terns or Osprey. |
NE |
Nest with egg(s). |
NY |
Nest with young seen or heard. |