Bird Banding Laboratory

Species Authorizations

- Federal Bird Banding and Marking Permits authorizes the species and/or species groups that can be banded and/or marked by each permittee. While the BBL previously authorized the banding of “all species”, these broad authorizations are no longer provided. Instead, the individual species groups or species that are the focus of approved banding activities are listed on the permits. The BBL decides whether individual species or species groups are the most appropriate authorization for each permit based on the proposed banding/marking activities.

To see the list of species currently authorized on Federal Bird Banding and Marking Permits click here.

The species groups currently authorized on Federal Bird Banding and Marking Permits include:

• Alcids
• Blackbirds
• Cavity Nesting Species
• Corvids
• Diurnal Raptors except Eagles
• Doves and Pigeons
• Ducks
• Endangered/Threatened Species
• Flycatchers
• Game Birds
• Geese
• Gulls
• Hawaiian Endangered Species
• Herons, Egrets, Ibis, Spoonbills
• Hummingbirds
• Loons and Grebes
• M.A.P.S.
• Migratory Game Birds, Blackbirds
• Migratory Webless Game Birds
• Non-Game Birds
• North American Migrants
• Owls
• Passerines and Near-passerines
• Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
• Seabirds
• Sparrows
• Swallows
• Swans
• Terns
• Waterbirds
• Waterfowl - Ducks, Geese and Swans
• Woodpeckers

Banders must have experience with the capture, handling, banding and/or marking of the requested species or species groups before the BBL will approve authorizations on banding permits. Requests for species authorizations should include the following information:

• Master bander’s name, permit number and all sub-permits requiring the authorization.
• The species and/or species groups.
• The applicant's qualifications described in a resume of experience and training. For each banding project or training course, the resume should indicate the species or species group(s) and the approximate number of individual birds that were handled and banded. The resume should also indicate the capture technique(s) used and the species and approximate numbers of individual birds that were captured with each technique.
• Project proposal(s) to justify these activities.

For any bander who would like to band hummingbirds or eagles, these groups have additional training and experience requirements that must be met before a banding authorization will be approved for these groups on a banding permit.

Hummingbird Banding Authorization: Because hummingbird bands are not provided in pre-formed shapes and sizes, hummingbird banders must be trained in the proper techniques to prepare bands for use on these species. Additionally, hummingbird banding requires tools and techniques that are specialized for these small birds. Even experienced songbird banders must be fully trained in these specialized techniques before they will be approved to band hummingbirds.

Anyone who would like to receive an authorization to band hummingbirds must successfully complete a course in hummingbird banding and band making protocols before they will be considered by the BBL. These training opportunities are very limited and occur only during summer or early autumn, hence, banders must plan well in advance to receive training prior to the time that they would like to start banding hummingbirds. Banders should contact the BBL for more information regarding these training requirements or for information about the training opportunities. Requests for hummingbird banding authorizations will not be considered for master or sub-permits until these training requirements have been met.

Eagle Banding Authorization: Banders who would like to band Bald and/or Golden eagles must have this specific authorization on their permits before they can legally band any eagle. Any banders whose projects are specifically focused on eagles must receive appropriate training on the capture, handling, and banding of eagles before they will be approved for a banding authorization on their permit. If banding young eagles in nests, then banders may need to demonstrate training and experience in climbing techniques and protocols for safely handling young eagles in that environment. Authorization to attach satellite transmitters or similar devices on eagles requires additional training and supervised field experience under a master bander who has considerable experienced in these techniques. Training opportunities for eagle banding and marking protocols are limited and banders must plan well in advance to receive training prior to the time that they would like to initiate their projects. Banders should contact the BBL for more information regarding eagle training requirements and opportunities.

Eagles captured incidentally at raptor migration banding stations cannot be legally banded unless specifically authorized on the banding permits. The BBL will consider requests for eagle banding authorizations at raptor migration banding stations only when the banders have extensive experience with the capture, handling, and banding of large raptors. Specific training on eagle banding protocols is not required but is encouraged. Banders should contact the BBL for more information regarding experience requirements required to obtain an eagle banding authorization for a raptor migration banding operation.

This information can be sent to bbl_permits@usgs.gov.

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