Editing Bird ringing

{{Short description|Attachment of a tag to a wild bird to enable individual identification}}
{{For|the journal|Bird-Banding (journal)}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
[[File:RSPB Sandwell Valley bird ringing - 2004-06-19 - Andy Mabbett - 27.jpg|thumb|A researcher uses ringing pliers to attach a ring to the leg of a [[Eurasian blackcap]].]]
[[File:Ringing of black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus nestling.jpg|thumb|Ringing a black-headed gull ''[[Chroicocephalus ridibundus]]''  ([[Laridae]]) nestling]]
[[File:Maletín de campo.jpg|thumb|A box of equipment for measuring, weighing and ringing birds.]]
'''Bird ringing''' (UK) or '''bird banding''' (US) is the attachment of a small, individually numbered metal or plastic tag to the leg or wing of a wild [[bird]] to enable individual identification. This helps in keeping track of the movements of the bird and its life history. It is common to take [[bird measurement|measurements]] and examine the conditions of feather moult, subcutaneous fat, age indications and sex during capture for ringing. The subsequent recapture, recovery, or observation of the bird can provide information on [[bird migration|migration]], longevity, mortality, population, [[territoriality]], [[List of feeding behaviours|feeding behaviour]], and other aspects that are studied by [[ornithology|ornithologists]]. Other methods of marking birds may also be used to allow for field based identification that does not require capture.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Cottam| first = C |author-link=Clarence Cottam |year = 1956 | title = Uses of marking animals in ecological studies: marking birds for scientific purposes | journal = Ecology | volume = 37 | issue = 4 | pages = 675–681 | doi=10.2307/1933058| jstor = 1933058 }}</ref>

== History ==
The earliest recorded attempts to mark birds were made by [[Roman army|Roman soldiers]]. For instance during the Punic Wars in 218 BC a crow was released by a besieged garrison, which suggests that this was an established practice. [[Quintus Fabius Pictor]] used a thread on the bird's leg to send a message back. In another case in history, a knight interested in chariot races during the time of Pliny (AD 1) took crows to Volterra, {{convert|135|mi|km}} away and released the crows with information on the race winners.<ref>Fisher, J. & Peterson, R.T. 1964. ''The world of birds''. Doubleday & Co., Garden City, New York.</ref>

[[Falconry|Falconers]] in the [[Middle Ages]] fitted tags on their [[falcon]]s with seals of their owners. In England from around 1560 or so, [[swan]]s were marked with a ''[[swan mark]]'', a nick on the bill.<ref>Charles Knight (1842) The Penny Magazine of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge: of the society for the diffusion of useful knowledge. Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (Great Britain) v.11 [n.s. v.2] (pp. 277–278)</ref><ref>Schechter, Frank I. The Historical Foundations of the Law Relating to Trade-Marks. New York: Columbia University Press, 1925. p. 35</ref>

Storks injured by hunting arrows (termed as ''[[pfeilstorch]]'' in German) traceable to African tribes were found in Germany and elsewhere as early as 1822, and constituted some of the earliest definitive evidence of long-distance migration in European birds.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Haffer, J. |title=The development of ornithology in central Europe|doi=10.1007/s10336-007-0160-2|year=2007|journal=Journal of Ornithology|volume=148|page=125|s2cid=38874099}}</ref>

In North America [[John James Audubon]] and [[Ernest Thompson Seton]] were pioneers although their method of marking birds was different from modern ringing. To determine if the same birds returned to his farm, Audubon tied silver threads onto the legs of young [[eastern phoebe]]s in 1805, although the veracity of Audubon's dates and methods has been questioned,<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.3366/anh.2018.0487|title=Audubon's famous banding experiment: Fact or fiction?|journal=Archives of Natural History|volume=45|pages=118–121|year=2018|last1=Halley|first1=Matthew R}}</ref> while Seton marked [[snow bunting]]s in Manitoba with ink in 1882.<ref name="study">{{cite book|last=North American Banding Council|title=The North American Banders' Study Guide|year=2001|publisher=North American Banding Council|location=Point Reyes Station, Calif.|pages=3–4|url=http://www.nabanding.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/STUDYGUIDE.pdf|access-date=18 July 2012|archive-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018141606/http://www.nabanding.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/STUDYGUIDE.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Ringing of birds for more extensive scientific purposes was started in 1899 by [[Hans Christian Cornelius Mortensen]], a Danish schoolteacher, using [[aluminium]] rings on [[European starling]]s. Mortensen had tried using [[zinc]] rings as early as 1890 but found these were too heavy.<ref>{{cite journal|author= Preuss, Niels Otto|year= 2001|title= Hans Christian Cornelius Mortensen: aspects of his life and of the history of bird ringing|journal= [[Ardea (journal)|Ardea]]|volume= 89|issue= 1|pages= 1–6|url= http://ardeajournal.natuurinfo.nl/ardeapdf/a89-001-006.pdf|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110724161954/http://ardeajournal.natuurinfo.nl/ardeapdf/a89-001-006.pdf|archive-date= 2011-07-24}}</ref> The first ringing scheme was established in Germany by [[Johannes Thienemann]] in 1903 at the [[Rossitten Bird Observatory]] on the Baltic Coast of East Prussia. This was followed by Hungary in 1908, Great Britain in 1909 (by [[Arthur Landsborough Thomson]] in Aberdeen and [[Harry Witherby]] in [[England]]), Yugoslavia{{clarify|date=July 2014}} in 1910 and the Scandinavian countries between 1911 and 1914.<ref>Spencer, R. 1985. Marking. In: Campbell. B. & Lack, E. 1985. ''A dictionary of birds''. British Ornithologists' Union. London, pp. 338–341.</ref>  [[Paul Bartsch]] of the [[Smithsonian Institution]] is credited with the first modern banding in the U.S.: he banded 23 [[black-crowned night heron]]s in 1902.<ref name="tautinmetras">{{cite news|last1=Tautin|first1=John|title=The North American Banding Program|access-date=21 May 2012|newspaper=EURING Newsletter|date=December 1988|last2=Métras|first2=Lucie|url=http://www.euring.org/about_euring/newsletter2/namerican_banding_tautin_metras.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220111557/http://www.euring.org/about_euring/newsletter2/namerican_banding_tautin_metras.htm|archive-date=20 February 2012}}</ref><ref name="tautinlincoln">{{cite conference|last=Tautin|first=John|title=Frederick C. Lincoln and the Formation of the North American Bird Banding Program|book-title=Bird Conservation Implementation and Integration in the Americas|conference=Third International Partners in Flight Conference. 2002 March 20–24; Asilomar, California|access-date=21 May 2012|pages=813–814|url=http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/documents/psw_gtr191/psw_gtr191_0813-0814_tatuin.pdf|id=Gen. Tech. Rep. GTR-PSW-191|publisher=U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station|location=Albany, California|date=2005|editor1-first=C. John|editor1-last=Ralph|editor2-first=Terrell D.|editor2-last=Rich}}</ref><ref name="tautin100">{{cite conference|last=Tautin|first=John|title=One Hundred Years of Bird Banding in North America|book-title=Bird Conservation Implementation and Integration in the Americas|conference=Third International Partners in Flight Conference. 2002 March 20–24; Asilomar, California|access-date=21 May 2012|pages=815–816|url=http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/documents/psw_gtr191/psw_gtr191_0815-0816_tatuin.pdf|id=Gen. Tech. Rep. GTR-PSW-191|publisher=U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station|location=Albany, California|date=2005|editor1-first=C. John|editor1-last=Ralph|editor2-first=Terrell D.|editor2-last=Rich}}</ref> [[Leon J. Cole]] of the [[University of Wisconsin]] founded the American Bird Banding Association in 1909; this organisation oversaw banding until the establishment of federal programs in the U.S. (1920) and Canada (1923) pursuant to the [[Migratory Bird Treaty]] of 1918.<ref name="tautin100" />

== Terminology and techniques ==

[[Image:Mist net kinglet.jpg|thumb|right|A ringed [[ruby-crowned kinglet]] recaptured in a [[mist net]]]]

''Bird ringing'' is the term used in the UK and in some other parts of Europe and the world. ''Bird banding'' is the term used in the United States. Organised ringing efforts are called ringing or banding schemes, and the organisations that run them are ringing or banding authorities. Birds are ''ringed'' rather than ''rung''. Those who ring or band birds are known as ringers or banders, and they are typically active at ringing or banding stations.

Birds may be captured by being taken as young birds at the [[bird nest|nest]], or as adults, captured in fine [[mist net]]s, baited traps, [[Heligoland trap]]s, drag nets, [[cannon-netting|cannon nets]], or by other methods. Raptors may be caught by many methods, including [[bal-chatri]] traps.

When a bird is caught, a ring of suitable size (usually made of aluminium or other lightweight material) is attached to the bird's leg, has a unique number, and a contact address. The bird is often weighed and measured, examined for data relevant to the ringer's project, and then released. The rings are very light, and are designed to have no adverse effect on the birds – indeed, the whole basis of using ringing to gain data about the birds is that ringed birds should behave in all respects in the same way as the unringed population. The birds so tagged can then be identified when they are re-trapped, or found dead, later.

When a ringed bird is found, and the ring number read and reported back to the ringer or ringing authority, this is termed a ''ringing recovery'' or a ''control''.<ref name=BTOmanual>{{cite web | title=Guide to using IPMR v2.2 for Ringing | url=https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u17/downloads/taking-part/ipmr/ipmr_2.2_manual.doc | access-date=2024-10-20}}</ref> The finder can contact the address on the ring, give the unique number, and be told the known history of the bird's movements. Many national ringing/banding authorities now also accept reports by phone or on official web sites.

The organising body, by collating many such reports, can then determine patterns of bird movements for large populations. Non-ringing/banding scientists can also obtain data for use in bird-related research.

At times in North America, the bands have just a unique number (without an address) that is recorded along with other identifying information on the bird. If the bird is recaptured the number on the band is recorded (along with other identifying characteristics) as a ''retrap''. All band numbers and information on the individual birds are then entered into a database and the information often shared throughout North American banding operations. This way information on retrapped birds is more readily available and easy to access.

== Equipment used ==
<gallery mode = packed heights = 180px>
Mist nets for bird ringing Malta.jpg|Mist nets used for capturing birds for ringing
Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) male ringed Malta.jpg|Male [[common redstart]] with a ring
Weighing ringed bird Malta.jpg|Weighing ringed bird
Redbackedshrike inhand blacksea.jpg|Bird ringing is not without hazards to the ringer; in this image, a [[red-backed shrike]] is attacking the person ringing it.
</gallery>

=== Mist nets ===
[[File:A researcher removes a bird from a mist net 2.jpg|thumb|A researcher removes a bird from a mist net.]]
[[Mist net]]s are fine mesh nets with shelves that create pockets to temporarily restrain birds. Mist nets come in a variety of mesh sizes, heights, lengths, weights, materials, and colours. The mesh size of the net is calculated differently in different countries; in the US and Canada the given mesh size is equivalent to two sides of a mesh square, while in the UK it is equivalent to one side. Ringers must choose a mesh size that appropriately targets the desired species, with smaller birds requiring a smaller mesh size. Nets can range from 1.5 to 18 metres in length, and from 1 to 3 metres in height depending on the number of panels. The thread weight and ply (number of strands) can also vary. Common construction materials include nylon, polyester, and monofilament. Mist nets are typically black, but may also be shades of green or brown. While mist nets are capable of capturing a large variety of species, they require supervised training in order to use properly, and they must be checked frequently while they are deployed.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.avinet.com/pages/mist-nets | title=Mist Net Information | access-date=9 February 2023 | archive-date=9 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209211047/https://www.avinet.com/pages/mist-nets | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nabanding.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Banders-Study-Guide-2001.pdf|title=The North American Banders' Study Guide|website=nabanding.net|date=April 2021|access-date=6 March 2023|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011162710/https://nabanding.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Banders-Study-Guide-2001.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Ringing pliers ===
Ringing pliers are an essential tool that aid in placing the ring around a bird's leg. These pliers come in different sizes, determined by how wide a bird's leg is. Pliers are sized between 0A-1A, 2–3, and 3B, 3A, and 4.<ref name="USGS">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/homepage/btypes.cfm|title=Bird Banding Laboratory|work=usgs.gov|access-date=24 September 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924083356/http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/homepage/btypes.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Leg gauge ===
The ring size is determined by using a leg gauge. This is placed around the bird's leg, which determines the diameter of the leg. After identifying the size of ring needed, the ring is then placed around the leg using the ringing pliers.<ref name="Avinet">{{cite web|url=http://www.avinet.com/|title=Welcome to AVINET|work=avinet.com|access-date=24 September 2015|archive-date=16 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416085200/http://www.avinet.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> In Australia, ring sizes range from 1 to 15, plus special sizes for birds whose leg shapes require special rings, such as parrots and pelicans.<ref name="Australian">Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme; [http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/81b57b46-3ee3-4c8a-8a2d-ce530273c717/files/band-size-list.pdf Recommended Band Size List – Birds of Australia and its Territories] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922073758/http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/81b57b46-3ee3-4c8a-8a2d-ce530273c717/files/band-size-list.pdf |date=22 September 2015 }}</ref>

=== Wing rulers ===
[[File:A researcher uses a wing ruler to measures a Lincoln's sparrow wing.jpg|thumb|right|A researcher uses a wing ruler to measure the wing of a [[Lincoln's sparrow]].]]
The next essential piece of equipment is the wing ruler, which is used to determine the length of the wing for data collection, research purposes, or species determination.<ref name="Avinet" /> Some birds can be identified by their [[wing chord (biology)|wing chord]].

=== Digital scales ===
Once the processing of the bird's [[Morphology (biology)|morphology]] has been completed, the last piece of equipment used is a digital scale. This is used to determine the weight of the bird, and is the last step before releasing the bird.<ref name="Avinet" />

== Limitations ==

Certain bird species are for various reasons unsuitable for ringing. In some countries, such as Australia, there exist laws prohibiting ringing of such species.<ref name="Australian" />

Some very large birds, such as [[ratite]]s, are difficult to ring because the cost of making a ring which is capable of securely fitting their strong, heavy legs is prohibitive. At the other extreme, the smaller species of [[river kingfisher|river]] and [[tree kingfisher]]s, [[tody|todies]] and certain [[lory|lories]], have such narrow [[tarsometatarsus|tarsi]] that a ring placed around the bird's foot may impose danger to blood circulation. For some gamebirds, such as the [[Indian peafowl]], spurs on the legs interfere with the rings, which thus can cause injury to the birds.

Special rings are needed for long-lived seabirds, such as [[Manx shearwater]]s, which can live for over 50 years. The corrosive effects of sea water, combined with wear, result in traditional aluminium rings only lasting around 4 years; for these birds, much tougher and more corrosion-resistant [[incoloy]], [[monel]], or [[stainless steel]] alloy rings are now used.<ref name=Copeland>{{cite web | title=Manx Shearwaters – Copeland Bird Observatory | website=Copeland Bird Observatory | date=2000-08-19 | url=https://www.thecbo.org.uk/birds/manx-shearwaters/ | access-date=2024-10-20}}</ref>

Many species of [[cockatoo]], which even if able to be ringed, require special rings to fit the unique shape of their legs. With softer metals like aluminium, they can bite off the rings with their powerful bills; tougher alloys also need to be used for these rings.<ref>Rowley, Ian and Saunders, Denis A.; 'Rigid Wing Tags for Cockatoos'; ''Corella'', 1980, 4(1); pp. 1–7</ref> The ability to overcome this problem varies between species, and with some such as the [[Gang-gang cockatoo]], it is known to be too dangerous to attempt banding. [[New World vulture]]s also cannot be banded on their legs because they urinate onto their legs, causing corrosion of the bands into a powdery oxide that sticks to the vulture's leg and injures the bird. [[Dipper]]s are also dangerously handicapped by ringing because the rings induce drag that makes it extremely difficult for them to catch prey in fast-flowing water.

Among species which can be safely ringed, there are major limitations among [[nomadism|nomadic species]] of the deserts of the [[Eastern Hemisphere]] and [[Carduelinae|cardueline finches]] of the [[taiga]]. The highly unpredictable movements inherent in these species' lifestyles means that recovery rates are extremely low,<ref>Newton, Ian; ''The Speciation and Biogeography of Birds''; pp. 490–492 {{ISBN|012517375X}}</ref><ref>Dean, Richard J.; ''Nomadic Desert Birds''; p. 138 {{ISBN|3540403930}}</ref> especially given generally low population densities within their habitats.

== Similar schemes ==

=== Neck rings ===
[[File:2023-05-12 Goose with neck ring 02.jpg|left|thumb|A [[greylag goose]] with a neck collar ring. These can be read at long distance, increasing observation rates.]]
Most [[Anseriformes|waterfowl]] are leg ringed, but some are marked with a plastic neck collar, which can be read at a greater distance. Neck collars can also be used for other long-necked birds such as [[flamingo]]s.

=== Wing tags ===

[[Image:Wing tag Great Frigatebird.JPG|thumb|This female [[great frigatebird]] has been tagged with wing tags as part of a breeding study]]

In some surveys, involving larger birds such as eagles, brightly coloured plastic tags are attached to birds' wing feathers. Each has a letter or letters, and the combination of colour and letters uniquely identifies the bird. These can then be read in the field, through binoculars, meaning that there is no need to re-trap the birds. Because the tags are attached to feathers, they drop off when the bird [[moult]]s.

Another method is [[imping]] in a brightly coloured false feather instead of a natural feather.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Wright, Earl G |year=1939|title= Marking Birds by Imping Feathers|journal= The Journal of Wildlife Management |volume= 3|issue=3|pages=238–239|doi=10.2307/3796107|jstor=3796107}}</ref>

A ''patagial tag'' is a permanent tag held onto the wing by a rivet punched through the [[patagium]].<ref name="bib">{{cite journal |author1=Marion, WR |author2=JD Shamis |year=1977 |title=An annotated bibliography of bird marking techniques |journal=Bird-Banding |volume=48 |issue=1 |pages=42–61 |url=http://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/jfo/v048n01/p0042-p0061.pdf |doi=10.2307/4512291 |jstor=4512291 |access-date=28 February 2013 |archive-date=18 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018141606/http://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/jfo/v048n01/p0042-p0061.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Wing tags can be a problem for some smaller raptors like [[Harrier (bird)|harriers]] as their conspicuous nature makes them more obvious targets for other more powerful predators like [[peregrine falcon]]s.<ref name="p925">{{cite journal | last=Zuberogoitia | first=Iñigo | last2=Arroyo | first2=Beatriz | last3=O’Donoghue | first3=Barry | last4=Zabala | first4=Jabi | last5=Martínez | first5=José A. | last6=Martínez | first6=José E. | last7=Murphy | first7=Stephen G. | title=Standing out from the crowd: are patagial wing tags a potential predator attraction for harriers (Circus spp.)? | journal=Journal of Ornithology | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=153 | issue=3 | date=2012-04-18 | issn=2193-7192 | doi=10.1007/s10336-012-0842-2 | doi-access=free | pages=985–989}}</ref>

=== Radio transmitters and satellite-tracking ===

Where detailed information is needed on individual movements, tiny radio transmitters can be fitted on to birds. For small species the transmitter is carried as a 'backpack' fitted over the wing bases, and for larger species it may be attached to a tail feather or looped to the legs. Both types usually have a tiny (10&nbsp;cm) flexible aerial to improve signal reception. Two field receivers (reading distance and direction) are needed to establish the bird's position using triangulation from the ground. The technique is useful for tracing individuals during landscape-level movements particularly in dense vegetation (such as tropical forests) and for shy or difficult-to-spot species, because birds can be located from a distance without visual confirmation.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Rappole, J. H.  |author2=Tipton, A. R. |name-list-style=amp|year= 1991|title= New harness design for attachment of radio transmitters to small passerines|jstor=20065798|journal= J. Field Ornithol. |volume=62|issue=3 |pages= 335–337}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Naef-Daenzer, Beat|year=2007|title=An allometric function to fit leg-loop harnesses to terrestrial birds|doi=10.1111/j.2007.0908-8857.03863.x|journal=Journal of Avian Biology|volume=38|issue=3|pages=404–407|url=http://infonet.vogelwarte.ch/upload/79760225.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217160345/http://infonet.vogelwarte.ch/upload/79760225.pdf|archive-date=2008-12-17}}</ref>

The use of satellite transmitters for bird movements is currently restricted by transmitter size – to species larger than about 400g. They may be attached to [[bird migration|migratory]] birds (geese, swans, cranes, penguins etc.) or other species such as penguins that undertake long-distance movements. Individuals may be tracked by satellites for immense distances, for the lifetime of the transmitter battery. As with wing tags, the transmitters may be designed to drop off when the bird moults; or they may be recovered by recapturing the bird.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Mikael Hake|author2=Nils Kjellén|author3=Thomas Alerstam|title=Satellite tracking of Swedish Ospreys ''Pandion haliaetus'': autumn migration routes and orientation|journal=Journal of Avian Biology|volume=32|issue=1|pages=47–56|year=2001|doi=10.1034/j.1600-048X.2001.320107.x|url=http://lup.lub.lu.se/record/145833|access-date=11 July 2019|archive-date=1 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701081853/https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/publication/145833|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author1=Kanaia, Yutaka |author2=Ueta, Mutsuyuki |author3=Germogenov, Nikolai |author4=Nagendran, Meenakshi |author5=Mita, Nagahisa |author6=Higuchi, Hiroyoshi |name-list-style=amp|year=2002 |title=Migration routes and important resting areas of Siberian cranes (''Grus leucogeranus'') between northeastern Siberia and China as revealed by satellite tracking |journal=Biological Conservation |volume=106 |issue=3 |pages=339–346 |url=http://www.eecs.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/~mita/Siberian%20Crane2002.pdf |doi=10.1016/S0006-3207(01)00259-2 |bibcode=2002BCons.106..339K |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217160344/http://www.eecs.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/~mita/Siberian%20Crane2002.pdf |archive-date=2008-12-17 }}</ref>

[[Motus (wildlife tracking network)|Motus wildlife tracking network]] is a program of [[Birds Canada]], it was launched in 2014 in the US and Canada, by 2022 more than 1,500 receiver stations have been installed in 34 countries, most receivers are concentrated in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]].

=== Field-readable rings ===

[[Image:European roller (Coracias garrulus) 2.jpg|thumb|Ringed for the [[European roller]] conservation project]]
[[File:Gull with bands on both legs.jpg|thumb|A gull with rings on both legs. <br> The orange ring is [[Alphanumericals|alphanumeric]], the large characters makes it easy to read from a distance]]
A field-readable is a ring or rings, usually made from plastic and brightly coloured, which may also have conspicuous markings in the form of letters and/or numbers. They are used by biologists working in the field to identify individual birds without recapture and with a minimum of disturbance to their behaviour. Rings large enough to carry numbers are usually restricted to larger birds, although if necessary small extensions to the rings (leg flags) bearing the identification code allow their use on slightly smaller species. For small species (e.g. most passerines), individuals can be identified by using a combination of small rings of different colours, which are read in a specific order. Most colour-marks of this type are considered temporary (the rings degrade, fade and may be lost or removed by the birds) and individuals are usually also fitted with a permanent metal ring.

=== Leg-flags ===

Similar to coloured rings or bands are leg-flags, usually made of [[darvic]] and used in addition to numbered metal rings. Although leg-flags may sometimes have individual codes on them, their more usual use is to code for the sites where the birds were ringed in order to elucidate their [[bird migration|migration]] routes and staging areas. The use of colour-coded leg-flags is part of an international program, originated in Australia in 1990, by the countries of the [[East Asian - Australasian Flyway]] to identify important areas and routes used by migratory [[wader]]s.<ref>[http://www.awsg.org.au/flagging.html Australasian Wader Studies Group: Wader flagging] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925124200/http://www.awsg.org.au/flagging.html |date=September 25, 2008 }}</ref>

=== Other markers ===

Head and neck markers are very visible, and may be used in species where the legs are not normally visible (such as ducks and geese). ''Nasal discs'' and ''nasal saddles'' can be attached to the culmen with a pin looped through the nostrils in birds with [[perforate nostrils]]. They should not be used if they obstruct breathing. They should not be used on birds that live in icy climates, as accumulation of ice on a nasal saddle can plug the nostrils.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Kobe, Michael D.|year=1980|title=Detrimental effects of nasal saddles on male ruddy ducks|journal=J. Field Ornithol.|volume=52|issue=2|pages=140–143|jstor=4512636|url=http://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/jfo/v052n02/p0140-p0143.pdf|access-date=28 February 2013|archive-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018141606/http://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/jfo/v052n02/p0140-p0143.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Neck collars'' made of expandable, non-heat-conducting plastic are useful for larger birds such as geese.<ref>USGS (2003) [http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/homepage/aboutaux.htm Auxiliary markers] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507170255/http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/homepage/aboutaux.htm |date=May 7, 2009 }}</ref>

== Education ==
Many institutions that ring birds offer demonstrations for the public, where experts ring live birds while highlighting the steps of the process and answering questions from the public.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://braddockbaybirdobservatory.wordpress.com/education-2/banding-demonstrations/|title=Banding Demonstrations|date=2013-02-26|work=Braddock Bay Bird Observatory|access-date=2017-10-31|language=en-US|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107005014/https://braddockbaybirdobservatory.wordpress.com/education-2/banding-demonstrations/|url-status=live}}</ref> Educating visitors about the technique helps to spread accurate information about it to the public.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.prbo.org/cms/docs/edu/MPitkinMNWithThePublic.pdf|title=Mist-netting with the public: A guide for communicating science through bird banding|last=Pitkin|first=Melissa|year=2006|pages=29|access-date=31 October 2017|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507002014/http://www.prbo.org/cms/docs/edu/MPitkinMNWithThePublic.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> While live bird ringing is not the only method of educating the public on bird conservation, it can be an especially engaging and unique method for visitors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pifcapemay/duffy.htm|title=A Bird in the Hand is Best|website=www.birds.cornell.edu|access-date=2017-10-31|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927064209/https://www.birds.cornell.edu/pifcapemay/duffy.htm/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Regulation ==
[[Image:Banded sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) at Llano Seco-9397.jpg|thumb|Ringed [[sandhill crane]] (''Grus canadensis'') at the Llano Seco Unit of the [[Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex]]]]
Ringing activities are often regulated by national agencies but because ringed birds may be found across countries, there are consortiums that ensure that recoveries and reports are collated. In the UK, bird ringing is organised by the [[British Trust for Ornithology]]. In North America the U.S. [[North American Bird Banding Program|Bird Banding Laboratory]] collaborates with Canadian programs and since 1996, partners with the North American Banding Council (NABC).<ref>John Tautin and Lucie Métras (1998) [http://www.euring.org/about_euring/newsletter2/namerican_banding_tautin_metras.htm The North American Banding Program] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220111557/http://www.euring.org/about_euring/newsletter2/namerican_banding_tautin_metras.htm |date=2012-02-20 }}. Euring Newsletter Vol 2.</ref> Waterfowl hunters may report the ring number of the bird they killed or observed, and find out the details of that specific bird such as breed, age, and ringing location. Bird rings are often seen as a prize because they are still relatively rare.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} The [[European Union for Bird Ringing]] (EURING) consolidates ringing data from the various national programs in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.euring.org/index.html |title=EURING |publisher=EURING |access-date=2014-06-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528112858/http://www.euring.org/index.html |archive-date=2014-05-28 }}</ref> In Australia, the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme manages all bird and bat ringing information.<ref>[http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/science/abbbs/ ABBBS] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719013643/http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/science/abbbs/ |date=July 19, 2008 }}</ref> while [[SAFRING]] manages bird ringing activities in South Africa.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/stats/adu/p_safr1.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721123115/http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/stats/adu/p_safr1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-21 |title=Safring |publisher=Web.uct.ac.za |date=2001-10-03 |access-date=2014-06-02 }}</ref> Bird ringing in India is managed by the [[Bombay Natural History Society]]. BirdRing rings in the Neotropics and Africa. The [[Cemave|National Center for Bird Conservation (CEMAVE)]] coordinates a national scheme for bird ringing in Brazil.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icmbio.gov.br/cemave/ |title=CEMAVE |publisher=Icmbio.gov.br |access-date=2014-06-02 |archive-date=4 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104220550/http://www4.icmbio.gov.br/cemave/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/homepage/aboutbanding.cfm|title=Bird Banding Laboratory|work=usgs.gov|access-date=24 September 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924083354/http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/homepage/aboutbanding.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Avinet. 2014. Bird Banding Supply Company. [Online] Available at: http://www.avinet.com/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216202433/http://www.avinet.com/ |date=16 December 2014 }}. [Accessed 27 Nov. 2014].</ref>
{{clear}}

== See also ==
* [[Tracking animal migration]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|35em}}

== References ==
* Knox, A.G. 1982. "Ringing pioneer".'' [[British Trust for Ornithology|BTO]] News'' No. 122, p.&nbsp;8.
* Knox, A.G. 1983. "The location of the Ringing Registers of the Aberdeen University Bird-Migration Inquiry". ''Ringing and Migration'' 4: 148.
* {{Cite journal
| last=Martin-Löf
| first=P.
| author-link=Per Martin-Löf
| title=Mortality rate calculations on ringed birds with special reference to the Dunlin ''Calidris alpina''
| journal=Arkiv för Zoologi
|publisher=Kungliga Svenska Vetenskapsakademien
|series=2
| volume=13
| issue=21
| year=1961
| title-link=Dunlin
}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Bird ringing}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130810182854/http://birdringing.net/ Birdringing.net : A Directory of Bird Ringing and Bird Banding Websites]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090327142007/http://www.a1-idsystems.com/index_files/AnimalProducts.htm A1 ID Systems: Manufacturer of electronic bird rings. (Microchip identification for animals)]
* [http://www.anillamiento.net/ LaB O RINg Project:Birds of Western Palearctic in Hand]
* [http://www.reportband.gov/ Report a found band in the United States]
* [http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/ Official US Bird Banding Lab]
* [http://www.ring.ac Report ringed birds online from all of the European schemes]
* [https://euring.org/ EURING] [[European Union for Bird Ringing]] (Co-ordinating organisation for European bird-ringing schemes)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060202231420/http://www.bsc-eoc.org/national/cmmn.html Canadian Migration Monitoring Network (Co-ordinates bird migration monitoring (includes bird banding) stations across Canada)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064906/http://www.birdrings.eu/bird-rings-in-poland Types and sizes of bird rings used in Poland] published by the Aranea, bird rings producer.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20010718132302/http://nabanding.net/nabanding/ The North American Banding Council (NABC)]
* [http://www.birdpop.org/ The Institute for Bird Populations – MAPS banding Program]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3032326.stm BBC News of ''Bardsey Island, ringed 1957'']
* [http://www.icmbio.gov.br/cemave/ Official CEMAVE-Brazil]
* [http://www.calgarybirdbandingsociety.org/ Calgary Bird Banding Society]
* [http://www.hbrcnet.org Songbird and Hummingbird Banding Research] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430234939/http://www.hbrcnet.org/ |date=30 April 2019 }} Ohio and Indiana

{{Birds}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bird Ringing}}
[[Category:Ornithological equipment and methods|Ringing]]
[[Category:Wild animals identification]]
[[Category:Bird conservation|Ringing]]