Banding

In the middle ages birds were marked with leg bands, probably for ownership identification. John James Audubon banded some birds, but it wasn't until the late 19th century in Europe where the practice of "ringing" took hold. By the early 1900's banding was popular in the US and gave rise to the American Birding Association. Later the responsibility for coordinating, standardizing, and data collection went to the federal government's USGS Bird Banding Laboratory. All banders must be provided permits by the BBL in order to capture and band birds. More information. In the UK go to http://www.bto.org/ringing/index.htm for Ringing information. Also see Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_ringing and the Journal of Field Ornithology

Smaller birds are often caught in "mist nets" ; like large hair nets , they are placed in areas where birds are likely to fly. The birds do not see the nets and fly into them. If done properly and checked often, injuries or death to the birds are rare. Bird nets can only be purchased and used by approved bird banders and researchers.

More information from the North American Bird Banding Council.