Banding
Toolbox
Activity #1
Piping Plover Profile:
USGS# 2771-91294
This plover was banded at Western Sand & Gravel mine in Nebraska. It is an adult male, captured in 2015.
Note: the bird's legs are labeled right (R) and left (L). This indicates the bird's right and the bird's left as it stands facing you, the viewer.
Instructions:
Record your banding combinations in your field journal. Click the icon to download and print, then go to the next tab.
Instructions:
Drag the correct USGS metal band onto the bird’s upper leg. Age determines placement. For adult birds, place on upper left leg. For chicks, place on upper right leg.
Explanation:
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS marker) is a metal band with a nine-digit number that is entered into a federal database. This number is unique and individually marks the bird.
2771-00125
2771-91294
Instructions:
Determine where the bird was banded. Select the colored flag that matches that region. Drag the correct flag onto bird’s upper leg (opposite metal band).
Great Plains Nebraska
Great Lakes, Wisconsin or Michigan
Missouri River South Dakota
Missouri River North Dakota
Gulf Coast Texas
Bahamas
Instructions:
Sex is determined for adult birds only. Drag the correct color band onto the top position on the lower right leg.
Male
Female
Male
Female
Chick
Instructions:
Determine the year the bird was banded. Drag the correct color band onto the top position on the lower left leg. It is the top color, below the metal band.
2010
2011
2014
2015
Instructions:
Determine specific site the bird was captured and banded. Drag the correct color band onto the bottom position on the lower right leg.
Lakeshore Retreat
U.S. Gulf Coast
Lake Superior
Western Sand & Gravel Mine
Instructions:
Describe site type. Was it a housing development, sand and gravel mine or sandbar? Drag the correct color band onto the bottom position on the lower left leg.
Housing Development
Sand & Gravel Mine
Sandbar
