Introduction to Banding Live, Wild Birds, Ages 8-11

Take a front-row seat shadowing a bird bander researching live, wild birds.  Bird banders are ornithologists who put aluminum or colored bands on the legs of birds in order to keep track of individuals. Birds are then released, unharmed, back into the wild. This research technique has been used by scientists to understand questions about bird movement, lifespan, behavior, reproduction and physiological changes since the 1800’s.  

This class includes a live demonstration of bird banding using real banding tools (traps, mist nets, banding pliers, scale, wing rule, calipers, etc...) to capture, band, and release live, wild birds* at a bird feeder banding station in Northern Minnesota.  Students should print a copy of the datasheet provided before class so that they can participate in data collection during the bird banding demonstration.  

Student interests and questions will guide the class content, so each class may cover slightly different topics.  Some possible topics include:
- Why and how researchers band birds
- The history of bird banding
- Bird banding permits in the United States and migratory bird protections under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
- Bird banding ethics and bird safety
- What to do if a banded, injured, or dead bird is found
- The main causes of avian mortality and ways to help with bird conservation
If there is a specific topic of interest please be sure to ask about this during class since there will not be enough time to cover all of these.

The instructor will also take advantage of teachable moments as birds are caught and banded.  Students will learn some basic information about the process used to determine the age and sex of a bird using clues such as plumage and molt limits, eye color, skull ossification, feather wear, cloacal protuberance, and brood patch. 

* IMPORTANT NOTE: In most sections of this class learners will have the opportunity to see live, wild birds as they are banded for research; however, this opportunity is NOT guaranteed. In some classes, a wild bird may not be caught, at the time of the class, due to weather and/or the unpredictable movements of wild birds.  In these cases, the banding demonstration will be completed using a stuffed bird and/or short video clips so that students can still see the entire process using real bird banding tools.  As an ornithologist who is concerned about conducting research in an ethical way, bird safety will always be my first priority!