Report a banded bird or recovery in Australia

While you are birdwatching, you may see a bird that has a metal band, a coloured plastic band or a small flag on its leg. These are used to identify individual birds. Information gained from sightings or recaptures of banded birds helps us to understand their biology, and can help in protecting them and their habitats. If you see a banded bird, you can assist research and conservation by reporting the details to the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme (ABBBS)  (https://www.birdlife.org.au/images/uploads/education_sheets/INFO-bird-banding.pdf).

If you are reporting about a banded or colour-marked shorebird, it is preferable to make the report to the Australasian Wader Studies Group (AWSG), using their BirdMark portal. The BirdMark portal is especially designed for colour-marked shorebirds observed along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

In either case information is shared between the two groups. Eventually you will receive an email or a letter telling you about where and when the bird was banded, and something about its subsequent movements.

Contact details are as follows:

1. ABBBS

On-line form
http://www.environment.gov.au/apps/web-forms/feedback/abbbs/reportform.html

Email
abbbs@environment.gov.au

Post – The Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme (ABBBS), GPO Box 8, Canberra ACT 2601. Telephone (02) 6274 2407

The ABBBS also accepts reports of birds carrying foreign banding scheme addresses. If you have found one of these bands, please follow the instructions on the ABBBS website.

Some kinds of bands cannot be reported to the ABBBS. These include Pigeon bands and bands used by domestic bird breeders. If you have found a band that is not reportable, please search for links to Pigeon and Breeders bands.

2. AWSG BirdMark: www.birdmark.net

 

In both cases, the information sought from your report includes:

  • The band number;
  • The date and location where you saw the band;
  • What you think happened to the bird;
  • Where the bird is now, and where the band is now;
  • Notes about any other marks on the bird.
  • If you found a dead bird, ABBBS requests that you post the band back to them.