Trails at Hullett Wildlife Area

Bird Banding

Bird banding is an important tool for surveying and managing various bird species from passerines to waterfowl to birds of prey.When banded, a bird then has a unique identity and can be distinguished from any other individual bird. Data gathered at a first capture could be compared to the data in a later capture. Data gathered can include the following: species, location, date, age, weight, wing cord, and gender. Useful information that can be obtained includes survival rates and migration data. With this information bird populations can be monitored, waterfowl hunting regulations can be set, endangered species can be protected and the effects of environmental contaminants can be assessed.

In Canada the bird banding is coordinated by the Canadian Bird Banding Office (C.B.B.O.), and administered by the Canadian Wildlife Service C.W.S. There are a number of banding projects that occur at Hullett. The C.W.S bands Canada geese and ducks and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (O.M.N.R.) band ducks. Pheasants are also banded by the Friends of Hullett. After the birds have been banded they are released without any harm done to them. The band does not affect them in any way; it is very small, light and made of a weather resistant material.

When a young bird is banded, it is fitted with a larger band so it will have room to grow. A special permit is needed to band birds with the official bands coming from the C.B.B.O. The C.B.B.O. compiles all the collected data and stores it in a data base and can be obtained upon request.

In addition to the C.W.S. and O.M.N.R. the Friends of Hullett also band birds. Every year the Friends band selected pheasants. These bands are associated with specific prizes. When you return the band and present your $10 ticket stub, you will receive a prize. This is our “Pheasant Challenge” and is held from September 25 to December 1.

Occasionally during wild bird banding programs, some birds will have a second band placed on their other leg. Prize money is given if the band is returned with the appropriate information. This is to encourage people to gather the information and send it to the Canadian Bird Banding Office.

In many cases a banded bird will be found an extensive distance from where they were first banded, or many years after they were first captured. All the information gathered on an individual bird is beneficial to the entire bird species worldwide.

Here is what you can do if you find a bird with a band. If the bird is alive please do not remove the band, the bird could be injured by this process. Data you can record:

numbers, in sequence, appearing on the band or bands
colors and materials of any bands or markers in addition to a metal band
date on which the bird or band was found, or observed
exact location the bird or band was found, or observed
species, sex and age of the bird (if known)
whether the bird was alive, dead, injured, free, or trap died (if known)

If you want any other information regarding bird banding or birds in general, drop into the Interpretive Center here at the Hullet Provincial Wildlife Area.