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A Piping Plover on the sand, with a band on its leg.
Florida Get Involved

Banded Birds in Florida

What to do if you spot a banded bird.
Banded Piping Plover. Photo: Walker Golder/Audubon

Most avid birders come across a banded bird sooner or later, but might not know how important it is to report what they see. Banded bird sighting reports are vitally important to the conservation and long-term survival of many of our most imperiled bird species, and amateur bird watchers play a critical role!

Here are some examples:

  • Reporting banded birds helps biologists to understand migratory patterns, territory size, range, habitat use, mortality, longevity, and a number of other factors critical to a specie’s survival.
  • Reporting banded chicks, adults, and migratory shorebirds helps pinpoint beaches, causeways, and islands that are important feeding and resting areas for birds prior to or during migration so that we can ensure those special places are protected from disturbance.
  • Reporting banded chicks and adults at beach-nesting and gravel rooftop-nesting sites helps assess "nest site fidelity" -the innate habit of returning to the same location year after year to nest. Site fidelity differs among shorebird and seabird species. For some species, a catastrophic disturbance one year can cause the birds to search for a new nesting location that may be safer than the previous site
  • The period between hatching and a chick’s first flight, when they can fly to avoid danger, is critical to their survival. Observing banded chicks may help to pinpoint factors in preventing them from reaching this critical stage.

If you see a banded bird:

  • Note the date, time, and location (with GPS if possible)
  • Note the species
  • Note which legs or legs have bands
  • Note the color and order of bands –upper or lower and left or right leg. If the band or flag has an alphanumeric code, try to note the code
  • Take a picture (ideal, although not mandatory). Digital cameras work great through scopes and sometimes even binoculars.
  • Report your band to the North American Bird Banding Laboratory. They will tell you where and when the bird was banded, add the data to their database, and send the data to the bander.  
  • Feel free to share your sightings on the Florida Banded Birds Resightings Facebook page.
  • Find more information about reporting banded birds in Florida here.
Banded Bird News
Banded Bird Sightings Tell a Story about American Oystercatcher Winter Behavior
An American Oystercatcher walks on the sandy shore with the tide lapping up on the left side of the photo.
Banded Bird Sightings Tell a Story about American Oystercatcher Winter Behavior

Florida’s beaches may be quieter in the winter, but the Sunshine State’s coldest months are important foraging and resting periods for vulnerable sea and shorebirds.

FL
Banded Oystercatcher Showcases Nesting Habitat Discovery
Two adult and one fledge American Oystercatchers stand on the sand. One of the adults is banded.
Banded Oystercatcher Showcases Nesting Habitat Discovery

The successful nesting season for X16 and her mate confirms that American Oystercatchers can be versatile in their nesting habitat.

FL
Banded Bald Eagle Resighting Shows a Bird on the Move
A banded Bald Eagle flying through the year.
Banded Bald Eagle Resighting Shows a Bird on the Move

Since 2017, Audubon has banded and released more than 85 fledgling Bald Eagles as part of an ongoing banding study.

FL
Where Oh Where Do the Roseate Spoonbills Go? Now We Know!
Roseate Spoonbill in flight. Photo: Steve Kendall/Audubon Photography Awards
Where Oh Where Do the Roseate Spoonbills Go? Now We Know!

New technology uncovers the mystery of Roseate Spoonbill movement.

FL
Banded Brown Pelican Moves from Alabama to Florida
Resting seabirds on Egmont Key, including the banded Brown Pelican.
Banded Brown Pelican Moves from Alabama to Florida

Banded in 2018, Audubon staff re-sighted the pelican on Egmont Key in May of 2021.

FL
Banded Red Knot Illustrates Importance of Migration Flyway
Red Knot standing on the beach, with a green band visible.
Banded Red Knot Illustrates Importance of Migration Flyway

The Coastal team's Kylie Wilson spots a banded Red Knot on Lido Key.

FL
How We're Making a Difference
Least Tern and chick sitting on the sand.
Coastal Stewardship in Florida
Protecting sea, shore, and wading birds at more than 300 sites across Florida.
View Project
Bald Eagle feeds a large chick in a nest
EagleWatch
Maintain healthy populations of Bald Eagles in Florida.
View Project
A flamingo walks in the shallows
Everglades Science Center
Protect and restore the River of Grass.
View Project
Find more information about reporting banded birds in Florida
Click here.
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Great Egret. Photo: Melissa Groo/Audubon Photography Awards