Bird Banding: a Fundamental Model to Ecology

Abstract

Working with experienced bird banders and handling birds has broadened my understanding of ecology, conservation and advocacy. My experience at both banding sites has revealed major frustrations with government funding. Currently, bird banders all around the U.S have seen significant limitations in volunteer work and educational opportunities. My literature review portion explored the key milestones that led to the unification and standardization of the bird banding process. There remains concerning trends of bird injury, stress, illness and mortality. Aspects of uncertainty extends to data connectivity and technological monitoring and driving home our responsibility over human disturbances to bird habitats and survival. Various developments and destruction of bird banding sites threaten the progress of bird bandings’ success and usefulness as a process to conservation and research.