Bird Banding

Bird banding is the placement of a small, individually numbered light metal band around the leg of a wild bird. Bands come in a variety of sizes and, in Canada, are issued to licensed individuals by the Canadian Bird Banding Office. At Ruthven Park wild birds are captured using mist nets, ground traps, and nesting structures.

They are identified as to species, and their age and gender is recorded. After a few measurements are taken banded birds are released back into the wild. The data for each banded bird is sent to the Canadian Bird Banding Office, who in turn shares it with the United States Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory.

  • The recovery of banded birds allows scientists to learn the longevity of each species, where they go to breed, over-winter, and stop-over during migration, and allows for the identification of migratory flyways. This can be a valuable tool for conservation by indicating priority areas and habitats for preservation and/or restoration.

  • At Ruthven Park bird banding is mostly done during spring and fall migration, although other banding projects are undertaken on a more occasional basis during appropriate conditions. Spring migration runs from April 1 st through to the first weekend in June while fall migration commences in September and runs through to the first weekend in November.

  • If you would like to participate in bird banding at Ruthven Park, please contact the bander-in-charge at banding@ruthvenpark.ca.

    If you bird at Ruthven Park please record your sightings on eBird.

    If you’re an educator or have a group check out or education offerings.

  • Spring: ~ April 1st - May 31st

    Fall: ~ Sept 1st - Nov 7th

    Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun

    Nets open at sunrise and close after 6 hours

    NOTE: if you are planning to visit the banding station to join our Master Bander for the morning, please contact him in advance to ensure that there are no other special events or education program bookings running on the day you plan to attend!

2025 Fall Bird Banding Report and Data

The fall of 2025 was yet another eventful one for Ruthven Park. A special thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make this season another great one! Please click the button to access the final data from the Fall 2025 banding season!

Fall 2025 Banding Report and Data

Purple Finch, Photo by Emma Kunert

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@rp_birdbanding

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Photo by Emma Kunert