• Bird banders must demonstrate orthinological experience.an exotic black bird image by Matthew Antonino from Fotolia.com
  
  Bird banding involves attaching a numbered, aluminum bracelet to the lower leg of a bird in order to study its behavior, migratory patterns and longevity. The United States Geological Survey Bird Banding Laboratory through the U.S. Department of the Interior issues the permits. As of 2010 there are only 2,000 master banding permits in the US. Applications are available to those who are at least 18 years old and have specialized training and experience.
  
  

Education and Experience

• The applicant must be able to demonstrate he or she is qualified to safely trap, handle and band birds. This training can be acquired by working in an apprenticing program with an active bander, or by visiting banding groups or bird observatories. The Ornithological Council provides a comprehensive list of bird observatories. There are also classes available in banding and handling birds which will qualify the applicant. The North American Bird Bander and the Ornithological Newsletter provide listings for courses. The applicant will be asked to attach a resume of experience to the application.
  
  

References

• The applicant must provide the names of three recognized and licensed banders or other ornithologists who can vouch for the applicant's expertise and qualifications as a bird handler. These can be individuals the applicant has studied or worked with or others who are qualified to assess the applicant's ornithological experience.
  
  

Research Project Description

• The applicant must provide a description of a well-defined research project. The application requires a one-page description of this project, including what the applicant hopes to accomplish by banding birds. According to the application, the Bird Banding Laboratory is only willing to issue permits for "management banding and original research beneficial to the public and US Geological Society."