Bird Banding Demonstrations at Birdcraft

Saturday, Sept. 6 and Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
8 to 10 a.m. 
Master Bird Bander Judy Richardson and her team offer a fascinating, up-close view of how bird banding works. Watch as birds are gently captured in the Birdcraft Sanctuary, their measurements are recorded, and they are fitted with an identification band before being released back into the wild, unharmed. Participants may get to release a bird too!

Bird banding enables researchers to track and study individual birds, providing valuable data on migration patterns, behavior, lifespan, and reproductive success. This information is crucial for understanding bird populations and guiding conservation efforts. Connecticut Audubon has operated a bird banding station at Birdcraft since the 1970’s. Volunteers, licensed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have captured and documented more than 18,000 birds there.

Pre-registration is required. Cost: $10 per person per session.
This fee goes to support Birdcraft and its mission to study and protect birds.

For Bird Banding on September 6, please register here.
For Bird Banding on September 20, please register here.

Banding at Birdcraft is conducted under a federal Bird Banding Permit. Visitors should not handle birds they see in the mist nets at Birdcraft. This event takes place at Connecticut Audubon’s Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary, 314 Unquowa Road, Fairfield, CT.