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Bands should not be replaced except when the old band is causing injury or irritation to the bird or if the band is illegible.
If the old band is causing injury or irritation, it should be removed and a new band applied to the other leg. Cross-reference the schedule upon which you report the new band, giving the older number in the "Common Name" column; also, identify the species and give the age and sex.
All removed bands should be taped to the "Remarks" section of the BANDING SCHEDULE upon which the newly applied band is reported. If the band is illegible, it will be chemically etched to determine the band number. A Bird Banding Recovery Report (form 3-1807) should NOT be submitted.
The sample schedule has two replaced bands (16 and 45) to illustrate how these are to be reported.
Bird Banding Laboratory files will also be cross-referenced, thus maintaining the longevity record for each bird.
If a bird may be captured wearing a badly worn or damaged band or a band on which the number is almost illegible. Remove the worn band and reband the bird. Tape the band to the schedule as indicated above.
SOME BIRDS ARE WEARING EXPERIMENTAL BANDS MADE OF VARIOUS METALS, WHICH ARE THINNER THAN THE STANDARD ALUMINUM BAND. DO NOT REMOVE THESE BANDS. Legible bands replaced due to wear or damage should be reported as described for bands removed due to injury to the bird, above.
