Most birders come across a banded bird sooner or later, but might not know how important it is to report what they see. Banded birds were caught once and fitted with a band with a unique code. Every time a birder reports a banded bird, biologists learn more about migratory patterns, territory size, range, habitat use, mortality, longevity, and important areas to protect. Often our most imperiled species are banded, and even amateur bird watchers play a critical role in their conservation!

There are a number of people and projects banding various species of birds. Below is a partial list of where you can report the banded birds you see. Remember in your report to include:

1. Band color, code, and location on legs (right leg, above “knee”, for example)
2. Location and date of your sighting
3. A photo if possible

For Red Knot/Sanderling/Ruddy Turnstone/ Semipalmated Sandpiper, visit www.bandedbirds.org 
For Piping Plovers with yellow or light blue flagged bands, email npwrc.ternplover@usgs.gov
For Piping Plovers with white or gray flagged bands, email cheri.gratto-trevor@ec.gc.ca
For Piping Plovers with any other band, email piping.plover@usace.army.mil 
For American Oystercatchers, visit http://amoywg.org/banding-re-sighting/
For Least Terns, email mkorosy@audubon.org
For Roseate Spoonbills, visit http://web1.audubon.org/spoonbill/
For Wood Storks, email billy_brooks@fws.gov
For Snowy Plovers, visit http://flshorebirdalliance.org/ (Click on Resources)