Bird Banding at the Birdcraft Museum

Bird banding is a universal technique for studying the movement, survival and behavior of birds. It is one of the most useful tools in ornithology. The Connecticut Audubon Society has operated a bird banding station at the Birdcraft Sanctuary since the 1970s.

Volunteers, licensed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have documented more that 18,000 birds at this location.

Judy Richardson, Chairman of the CT Audubon Society Fairfield Regional Board of Directors and Master Bander at work.

The bird banders use mist nets to capture birds.  When a bird is caught, a ring of appropriate size (usually made of aluminum or other lightweight material) is attached to the bird’s leg. On the ring is a unique number as well as a contact address.  The bird-bander records the number, where and when each bird is banded, how old it is, what sex it is and other information, and sends this data to a national Bird Banding Laboratory.

Once the data is recorded, the bird is released back in the wild unharmed.  If the bird is found again in the future, either dead or alive, the information is is sent to the original bander and the Bird Banding Laboratory. 

Individual identification of birds makes it possible to study bird migration, behavior, social structure, life-span, survival rate, reproductive success, and population growth.  Scientists can also determine where specific birds nest and spend the winter, whether populations are rising or falling, and other details of their lives.

 The Birdcraft Bird Banding station operates weekdays in fall and spring.  The public is welcome to walk at the Birdcraft Sanctuary but please do not tamper with the nets.