Bird banding is a method used by scientists and researchers to study birds. Birds are safely caught and given an identification band, which is a small aluminum ring that fits around the bird’s leg like a bracelet. The band is engraved with a unique number, allowing scientists to keep track of each individual bird.

On average, 340,000 birds are banded in Canada each year, making an average of 1.2 million birds banded per year in both Canada and the United States.

In order to band birds in Canada, you must have a permit to do so and you must also be trained in safe banding procedures and comply with The Bander’s Code of Ethics.

The birds are gently caught in soft, fine nets called mist nets. These nets are stretched between two poles, usually located among trees and bushes. Ideally, the birds cannot see the nets so they fly into them. Banders and trained volunteers carefully remove the birds from the nets so they can be banded and then released unharmed.

PEPtBO is a member of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network (CMMN), which is a large-scale collaborative network of more than 30 bird observatories and research stations across Canada.  PEPtBO’s data goes to CMMN where it is analyzed and shared with organizations across North America. To see results of CMMN population trend analysis and specific information about PEPtBO visit ­Results