Bird Banding Laboratory

• In the United States, all banding activities are administered by the Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) in Patuxent, Maryland. Reports of recovered bands are sent to this facility.
  
  

U.S. Federal Bands

• Federal bands are stamped with numbers (never repeated on another band) and 'CALL 1-800-327 BAND WRITE BIRD BAND LAUREL MD 20708 USA.' Older bands are inscribed with a number and 'AVISE BIRD BAND WASH DC.'
  
  

Foreign Bands

• Foreign bands have a letter-number combination and address. Bands from outside the United States are also reported to the BBL in Patuxent.
  
  

Report Online

• Numbers may be reported online on the Bird Banding Laboratory website (see Resources below) or by mail. The person making the report will receive data about the bird from the BBL.
  
  

Warning

• Bands marked with "AU," "IF," "CU," "NPA," or "IPB" are used by pigeon breeders and are not reported to the BBL.