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Hard Metal Band Information Page

The information on ordering hard metal bands on this page is for US Banders only, Canadian Banders should contact the BBO at bbo_cws@ec.gc.ca.

The BBL received funds from the Status and Trends Program of USGS to restock hard metal bands in sizes from 1B to 9C for use by US permitted banders on approved species and projects.

To order hard metal bands, confirm that the band size of interest is in stock or expected in shortly (see below). If you have previously purchased hard metal bands in the same size at your own expense, you can order hard metal bands from the BBL the same as aluminum bands, but be certain to specify the size and type that you want. If you have not previously ordered hard metal bands in the same size, email a request to use hard metal bands to DBystrak@usgs.gov. Include in your request the following information:

  • Master Permit Number
  • Master Permit Name
  • Band Size
  • Quantity (one year supply only, please)
  • Species
  • Brief project description including number of individuals banded/year, starting year of the project, goals, and use of hard metal bands in the past. If a number of aluminum bands will be removed from birds and replaced with hard metal bands, please include that information with the estimated number of bands per year and total to be replaced.
  • This page will serve as a notice for banders of the status of the orders for each size of hard metal bands. Check back to see what the current status is for bands sizes you are interested in!

    Click here for information on aluminum band sizes.

    Band Size mm Metal Approximate Aluminum Size Equivalent (size in mm) Status
    2.8 Stainless 1B (2.6 mm) In stock
    3.3 Stainless 1A (3.1 mm) In stock
    4.0 Incoloy 2 (3.8 mm) * In stock
    4.2 Stainless 2 (3.8 mm) ** In stock
    4.75 Incoloy 3 (4.8 mm) In stock
    5.25 Incoloy 3B (5.25 mm) In stock
    5.5 Stainless 3A (5.6 mm) In stock
    6.5 Stainless 4 (6.5 mm) In stock
    7.0 Stainless 4A (7.2 mm) In stock
    8.0 Incoloy 5 (8.0 mm) In stock
    9.5 Stainless 6 (9.5 mm) In stock
    11.0 Incoloy 7A (11.3 mm) In stock
    14.0 Incoloy 7B (13.7 mm) In stock
    18.0 Stainless 8 (17.5 mm) In stock
    22.0 Incoloy 9 (22.0 mm) In stock
    29.0 Stainless 9C Locking Tab (29.0 mm) In stock

    * This size is recommended for Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii).

    ** This size is recommended for Common Terns (Sterna hirundo).

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